Wicklow’s Kate Kerr-Horan to represent Ireland at next week’s Longines FEI European Para Dressage Championships in Gothenburg

  • 17 August 2017, 14:24

Kate Kerr-Horan from Tinahely Co Wicklow, will be the sole Irish representative at the Longines FEI European Para Dressage Championships, which start in Gothenburg, Sweden on Monday next (August 21st).

Kate, from Tinahely Co Wicklow, has represented Ireland at numerous international fixtures, scoring regular top-six placings. She finished seventh in the Freestyle competition at her first European Championships in 2013 in Denmark. The following year she finished ninth at the World Equestrian Games in France and in 2015 scored a seventh place finish at the European Championships – also in France.

In Gothenburg, Kate Kerr-Horan will ride the 17-year-old bay mare Arlande. They will face stiff competition in Gothenburg where five gold medallists return to top flight international competition since facing off at last summer’s Paralympic Games in Rio. They will be joined by a further three Rio silver and bronze medallists, and together with a total of 62 athletes will compete for 30 individual and freestyle medals in five grades.

Kate Kerr-Horan and Arlande will perform their first Grade III test on Monday at the Heden arena in Gothenburg, followed by the individual championship medal deciding final round on Tuesday. The top eight competitors will then go forward to the Freestyle final on Wednesday.

Judy Reynolds to miss Longines European Dressage Championships

Ireland’s Judy Reynolds has unfortunately been forced to withdraw from the Longines FEI European Dressage Championships. also taking place in Gothenburg, after her horse Vancouver K picked up an injury this week.

Reynolds and Vancouver K, who are now ranked No.14 in the world, have produced outstanding performances on the world stage in recent years including at last years Olympic Games in Rio.

Speaking on Tuesday, Judy Reynolds said:

“JP [Vancouver K] has been in amazing form, we even have a brand new freestyle prepared for next week. But unfortunately he picked up a small injury yesterday in training. After consultation with our vets we feel that although it could be possible to start next week it is better not to take any risks with JP’s long term health. He will now get a break and we will be back in the winter ready to rock.”

 

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