Ireland’s Young Riders (Under-21) have won a team FEI Eventing European Championships silver medal after finishing runners-up over a dramatic four days of high-class competition in Strzegom, Poland.
Dag Albert’s squad of Ben Connors, Godfrey Gibbons, Momo Sheehy, Oleana Cowen and Amelia McCarthy were pipped right at the death by a victorious French team after the final show jumping phase this afternoon (Sunday).
Britain filled the podium in third place. In a fantastic individual result, the three Irish of Sheehy (eighth), Gibbons (ninth) and Connors tenth) all finished in the top ten.
Horse Sport Ireland High Performance Eventing Manager, Albert, said: “They gave it everything and that’s a really tough way to lose a gold medal but they were all superb for the whole week.
“We were happy enough after the two days of dressage – we knew with a bit of luck that we would make a move cross country.
“Obviously we were delighted then to be leading going into the jumping phase, the guys were exceptional on a very tough cross country course, but we just didn’t get the rub of the green this afternoon.
“Eventing is a very tough sport for both horse and rider and you need everything to go your way. Unfortunately for us, today everything didn’t go our way but I’m incredibly proud of the squad for winning the silver medal.
“I want to give a very special thanks to all of the team here this week, from our grooms Jenny Kuehnle, Sarah Turley, Gemma Murphy and Leah Daniels, who have looked after the horses so well, to our vet JP King.
“Our coaches Gerald Bloomer, Cormac Rafferty and and Heike Holstein – this result couldn’t be possible without them, and our lorry drivers Jerry and Jack, who have also been incredible all week.
“And also to Aileen Cartwright in Horse Sport Ireland for her support with our programme, as well as Edel Whyte who has been here promoting the teams and the sport all week.”
Having been well placed for an assault on the medals, lying in fifth position after the opening dressage phase concluded on Friday, the Irish dominated around the cross country course yesterday to shoot into top spot.
Leading with 7.6 penalties to spare over nearest pursuers – and only realistic gold medal challengers – France, Ireland had a pole, and some potential time penalties, in hand.
From a team perspective, Momo Sheehy and HHS Noble Call were first into the arena and a delighted Sheehy punched the air as they came home clear with just two time penalties, ramping up the pressure on the French.
Verane Nicaud tagged on six penalties for France to give Ireland a commanding lead, before a solitary pole down for Godfrey Gibbons and Kilroe Lego Land left the result slightly in the balance once more. With the final French combination jumping a clear round, it meant Connors and OLS King Aragon could only afford a solitary pole down.
Unfortunately, one dropped early, leaving no room for error and when a second dropped late, victory went to France.
In the Junior (Under-18) competition, Ireland finished eighth after being left with a mountain to climb following some bad luck cross country yesterday.
Carla Williamson and Powers were Ireland’s highest finishers individually in 12th place, with Ciara O’Connor also placing within the top 20 on Cooley Rebound.