THE Youth Nations Cup competitions came to a crescendo last week, when the World Cup Youth Finals were held in Lier, Belgium.

After qualifying classes were held on the previous days, the Irish pony show jumping team of Senan Reape, Charlie Flynn, Annie Boland, James Derwin and Lily Tunney, managed by Gary Marshall, finished as runners-up at the 2024 FEI Youth Nations Cup Finals to secure team silver.

Ireland, who have had a remarkable season, leading the series throughout, started the day in fourth place, carrying forward six penalties from the earlier qualifiers. A brilliant Irish performance on Sunday morning saw all of their first three riders jump clear to keep Ireland on their six-penalty score, while victory went to Britain with just one penalty.

Meanwhile, James Kernan’s Children on Horses (U14) team of Sam Widger, Robbie Sheehan, Charlie Flynn, Mischa Lennon and Ted Fagan also qualified for Sunday’s final round. They finished on a final score of four faults to place third and claim the bronze medal; Britain also finished on four, but took runner-up spot in a slightly faster time. Victory went to The Netherlands, as the only team to finish on a zero score.

Kernan’s Junior (U18) team of Jenny Dunlop, Coen Williams, Gary Dooley, Robert Russell and Cian McMunn qualified for Sunday’s World Cup Youth Final too, where they gave a good account of themselves to finish in sixth place overall.

Congratulations to everyone involved.