King Kent crowned European champion

  • 28 July 2024, 19:14

Double the Pleasure for young talent after Friday’s team bronze

The future of Irish show jumping looks very strong and Jack Kent has had a day he will never forget after being crowned European Pony Show Jumping champion in Opglabbeek today.

Kent and Double Pleasure were on the GAIN Equine Nutrition squad that claimed bronze in the team competition on Friday.

The young talent was joined on Gary Marshall’s unit by James Derwin on Rincoola Babog (ISH), Ruben Foley with Cracher, Senan Reape with Fernando and Lily Tunney with Fireman as they fought back from a below par first first round to claim the podium position.

Kent and Double Pleasure made a huge contribution to that result, jumping nothing but clear rounds all week.

That earned the Irish combination a place in a jump-off today from which they emerged quickest with a stunning time of 39.17 seconds, to claim the most prestigious price of Kent’s nascent career with more than two seconds to spare.

“It has been an unbelievable story for Jack and Double Pleasure,” said Team Manager, Gary Marshall.

“The pony is a little bit special. Jack only got the ride half-way through the year. In the later rounds, he started to trust the pony and the pony started to trust him. It’s always a two-way relationship and they really clicked, getting better and better.

“I have to say, the championship was a really good championship. It was a difficult track, catching people with a lot of different jumps.

“Also, because there were mistakes in the first round, there was real excitement as they fought back and I’ve won golds that didn’t feel as good as this bronze as a result. That fighting spirit is something all the teams I’ve had have in common.

“This is a fantastic team though and I’m delighted for them. It says a lot to learn from the mistakes and correct them and that’s what earned them the team bronze.

“To cap that off with Jack winning the gold made it a fantastic championships, which for these group of young riders, is their Olympics. I couldn’t be happier for them.”