HUGE entries for the CSIO Youth Show in Compiegne, France, meant that it was a limited Irish contingent travelling to what has to be one of the most picturesque venues on the circuit. Set in acres of bluebell dusted forestry, and within walking distance of the cobbled streets of Compiegne, the venue itself has one of the most beautiful arenas in France, although behind the glamour of the setting lies the muddiest of lorry parks, so keeping turnout up to standard proved challenging for man and beast!
The strict cap on entries meant that a maximum of seven riders from each country could compete in each category, and Ireland were represented in the U14 Children on Horses, U16 Ponies and the U18 Juniors.
For those of us thinking that a holiday in France might leave us with a suntan, it was ‘wellies, waterproofs and winter woollies’ kind of weather, but the jumping was reason for cheer as the courses were well built, educational and challenging.
Thursday kicked off at a lively 7.30am in the Decarpentry Arena with the CSIOP 1.25m Table A against the clock, where Claudia Carroll continued on from her good form in Sentower, when taking the win in a class of over 80 starters. Charlie Flynn repeated the success in the following class, when taking the top spot with Elia in the CSIOCH 1.20m Table A equivalent, where once again there were over 80 competitors. Meanwhile, in the Delahaye Arena, Kian Dore took third place in the CSIOJ 1.35m Table A with MHS Undercover.
James Derwin, Katy Roarke, Charlie Flynn, Annie Boland, Gary Marshall, Lauren Adams, Dale Adams and Jack Cash, pictured at Compiegne in France \ Seale Transport Show Team
Pony Nations Cup
Friday saw another early start, once again with the ponies, this time jumping the CSIOP 1.30m Nations Cup. Chef d’Equipe, Gary Marshall, fielded an Irish team that mixed experience with some new combinations. Lauren Adams and Slieve Bloom Bella Rose (0-4), Charlie Flynn and HK Zena (7-4), Annie Boland and K-Little Hero (18-20) and James Derwin with Rincoola Babog (0-0) came up against a very strong British team, who finished on a zero score.
Second place went to the Swiss team finishing on six penalties (2-4), with the Irish finishing third on a final score of 15 (7-8). James Derwin’s experience under pressure in the anchor leg proved crucial, when jumping one of eight double clears in the class, which was good enough to edge out the chasing French, who finished just one fault behind.
Speaking afterwards, Chef d’Equipe, Gary Marshall said: “They showed the fighting character that they have to get on the podium. The competition was very strong and it was a tough course. I can see huge improvement in these riders, particularly the more inexperienced combinations. These shows bring kids on so much and it would be great if we got the opportunity to bring more combinations to these development shows.”
The CSIOJ 1.40m Nations Cup saw three combinations jumping at this level for the first time and they finished in eighth place overall. Kian Dore and Puerto Rico Van’t Roosakker (0-8), Ben Walsh and Dallas T (9-9), Christian Kennedy and Lagans Obos Quality (10-8) and Gary Dooley and CSF Olympic Jewel (0-0) all jumped well over a track that caused plenty of problems. Gary Dooley, fresh from winning the Grand Prix in Sentower, jumped one of just three double clear rounds in the class in the anchor leg, underlining his consistency at this level this season.
Victory
The Children on Horses 1.25m Nations Cup was the story of the week for the Irish, as a valiant all-boys team held their nerves in the second round to climb from third place after the first round to claim victory against 11 other Nations. Charlie Flynn and Elia (4-0), Ted Fagan and Con Sol (0-0), Robbie Sheehan and Fubalia (0-0) and Sam Widger and Jerenice Dysenbeeck Z (E-4) finished on a final score of four faults, (4-0) with Ted and Robbie producing two of only six double clears in the class.
Chef d’Equipe James Kernan said: “The kids were unlucky in Sentower, but it was a great experience and it helped them enormously. We really wanted this win and it was an outstanding team result.” He praised the fighting spirit of the team and, in particular, Sam Widger, whose horse spooked badly at a hedge clad wall in round one, but a gutsy display of horsemanship in the second round saw them have just one down.
“All of the kids were fantastic, and the Individuals in the ‘In-between class’ all jumped great, with Cathal McKeon-Devaney with Carrickadawson Womanizer and Daisy O’Dea with CSF Alma both jumping clear and Ciara Cash with Carnival Cocktail having just the first fence down.”
With the strength in depth in the Children on Horses ranks, it is clear that there is much to look forward to in the coming season from these young athletes.