Irish Young Riders in action at the TRI Nations in South Africa

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) would like to wish the Irish Young Rider Team of Eoin Brennan, Katie McEntee, Katie Nallon and Coen Williams the very best competing in the South African TRI Nations Competition in Kyalami Equestrian Park, Johannesburg, led by HSI Youth Team Manager James Kernan.

The Irish athletes will be competing in the TRI Nations Cup on borrowed horses, jumping between 1.20m and 1.30m, against the host Nation South Africa and Portugal. The TRI Nations competition is running in conjunction with the FEI Jumping World Cup qualifier in Kyalami Equestrian Park, Johannesburg SA.

Kernan said: “I’m really looking forward to it – it is a great honour for our riders to be invited to take part, and they’ll be the first Irish team to compete in South Africa.

“We have a young team, but an experienced team and I don’t think there’ll be a team here with the collectively quality of our riders and I’m hoping for a very positive result.”

All of the riders competing will pick a horse drawn from a pot, in essence, including the hosts South Africa, to ensure a level playing field, and Kernan doesn’t envisage any problems for the Irish riders.

“No, as I said, they’re top-class riders so they’ll be fine. They will have a few days to get the know the horses so they’ll be ready to go when the team competition starts. It’s very exciting and a huge honour, so I can’t wait.”

HSI Chief Executive, Denis Duggan, said: “Horse Sport Ireland is delighted that four of our talented young riders, who are fantastic ambassadors for their conuntry, are heading to compete in South Africa. We want to acknowledge the support of the South African Federation without whom the trip would not be possible, and also the parents and families of these talented young men and women.”

HSI Head Of High Performance Sport Bernard Jackman added: ‘’We are delighted to support this initiative to send some of the Young talented riders in Ireland over to compete in South Africa. Competition is a huge part of athlete development and this opportunity for young Irish riders to compete on the World stage will be hugely beneficial to them along with creating memories they will never forget’’.

Horse Sport would like to Thank South African Federation for their generous invitation and also the athletes’ parents, without whom none of this would be possible, we wish Team Ireland the very Best of Luck!