IRELAND's youth eventing teams enjoyed huge success at the 2022 FEI European Youth Eventing Championships in Hartpury, Britain, with the U18 (Junior) team claiming the silver medal while the U21 (Young Rider) team took home the bronze.

Germany (bronze), Britain (gold) and Ireland (silver) shared the Junior podium at the 2022 FEI European Youth Eventing Championships in Hartpury.

The Gain Equine Nutrition Irish Junior team of Co Down's Tom Rowlatt McCormick, Kildare's Julia Adams, Westmeath's Ted O'Leary and Galway's Godfrey Gibbons, managed by Dag Albert, were in third place after the opening dressage phase on Friday. An excellent cross-country performance on Saturday saw them remain the bronze medal position heading into the final show jumping phase.

All four Irish team members jumped clear in the final jumping phase to keep Ireland on their score of 95.7 and this saw Ireland overtake Germany to win the silver medal. Britain won gold on 92.8, while the bronze went to Germany on 95.8.

Godfrey Gibbons and Milchem Free Spirit (ISH) \ Aisling Deverell Photography

On the individual standings, Godfrey Gibbons with Milchem Free Spirit (ISH) finished just outside the medal places in a share of fourth place. Tom Rowlatt McCormick with Mon Ami Alme finished in sixth, while Julia Adams with Milchem Ardeo (ISH) finished in eighth. Susan Shanahan with Eisfee took 22nd place and Ted O’Leary with My Ballintoghers Cracker Jack finished in 35th position.

Horse Sport Ireland Junior Eventing High Performance Director Dag Albert said: "It was a brilliant performance all week. They all had very solid dressage tests to start off with. Today in the final show jumping they were all outstanding. We have all been working hard preparing since Christmas. They have all turned up and worked hard through the winter and it is paying off now. We are very happy, they were rock solid, very consistent throughout and we were close enough to the gold in the end. It was a real team effort. Our Junior riders and Sue's Young Riders - we were all working as one big team together. I have to thank all of the parents for their hard work and support, our sponsors, trainers, everyone at Horse Sport Ireland and all of our excellent sponsors."

Ireland (bronze), Britain (gold) and Germany (silver) shared the Young Rider podium at the 2022 FEI European Youth Eventing Championships in Hartpury,

Young Rider team success

Just a few hours later, Ireland were back on the podium as Sue Shortt's Young Rider team of Jennifer Kuehnle from Co Laois, Kildare's Alannah Kelly, Waterford's Heather O'Connor and Kildare's Zara Nelson, held off a strong challenge from France to take the team bronze medal. Ireland finished less than one penalty ahead of the French at the finish, with a brilliant clear from Ireland's last rider, Jennifer Kuehnle with Sammy Davis Junior (ISH), sealing third place on the podium for the Irish who finished on a final score of 123.9. Britain took their second team gold of the day with a score of 105.6 while Germany collected the silver on 109.6.

On the individual standings, Jennifer Kuehnle and Sammy Davis Junior (ISH) finished just one place outside the medals in fourth. Alannah Kelly and Cooley Bounce (ISH) finished 12th, Sadhbh Bolger and Cooley Cappuccino (ISH) finished 16th, while Zara Nelson and Ols King Aragon (ISH) finished in 27th.

Horse Sport Ireland Young Rider Eventing High Performance Director Sue Shortt said:"I'm really delighted for all our team members and their families. It was a hard-fought competition, very close from start to finish and we ended up in a real battle with the French team. We started the day in third and France overtook us at one stage but we kept fighting. Jenny had to jump a clear round at the end which she did and we took the bronze by less than a point thankfully.

"The riders all jumped fantastically. We couldn't have asked any more from them and they were great under pressure. I want to thank Heike Holstein our Dressage coach, Gerry Flynn our Jumping coach, JP King our team vet, Aileen Cartwright in the HSI office, our sponsors and all of the parents and our riders without whom this would not have been possible."

Horse Sport Ireland Gain Equine Nutrition Junior Eventing High Performance Director Dag Albert and Horse Sport Ireland Gain Equine Nutrition Young Rider Eventing High Performance Director Sue Shortt pictured after a double medal success at the European Championships

Horse Sport Ireland CEO Denis Duggan added: "Massive congratulations to our Junior team manager Dag Albert, our Young Rider team manager Sue Shortt and all of our athletes on a fantastic weekend of double European medal success. Our Junior team of Tom Rowlatt McCormick, Julia Adams, Ted O'Leary and Godfrey Gibbons put in a brilliant performance to win the European silver medal. For all four team members to jump clear in the final show jumping phase was outstanding, and to have three Irish riders inside the top eight individually was also a fantastic result.

"Our Young Rider team of Jennifer Kuehnle, Alannah Kelly, Heather O'Connor and Zara Nelson showed huge strength of character to hold off the French team to win the team bronze medal. Huge credit is due to all involved including the riders, their families, trainers and support team and of course all of our sponsors."

Horse Sport Ireland thanks team sponsors Gain Equine Nutrition, and team suppliers TRM Equine Nutrition Dubarry of Ireland Flex-On Ireland Berney Bros Saddlery Kilcullen and Horseware.

Source: Horse Sport Ireland press release