GARY Marshall’s Irish pony show jumping team of Kian Dore, Abbie Oakey, Paddy Reape and James Derwin were utterly dominant at last week’s FEI European Championships for Ponies in Le Mans, France, winning the gold medal on a perfect team score of zero faults.

This success comes off the back of team gold for the Young Riders and Juniors in Italy last month, as well as the pony team winning this competition 12 months ago, demonstrating the truly magnificent state of underage show jumping in Ireland.

Ireland began the championships as firm favourites following a historic performance at the championship last year where they won team gold as well as individual gold, silver and bronze medals, added to FEI Youth Nations Cup victories this year in Opgableek, Compiegne, Zuidwolde and Hagen.

The team got off to a strong start in round one, an unlucky four faults from individual rider Co Kilkenny’s Emily Moloney, riding Lady Crown, being discarded, while there were clears from Kian Dore with Sparkling Lackamore Joey, Abbie Oakey riding Boutade Ste Hermelle, Paddy Reape riding Fernando and the defending champion, James Derwin riding Rincoola Babog (ISH).

That left Ireland joint at the top of the leaderboard with Sweden, The Netherlands and Belgium after the first competition while Derwin headed the individual leaderboard.

In Friday’s final, held over two rounds, Ireland were the only of the nine teams to maintain a team score of zero after the first round of the final, giving them a three-fence cushion over nearest pursuers Sweden, before heavy rain at the venue caused the final round to be delayed.

When the sun came back out in the French venue for the team final, the Irish team remained cool and composed to add no more faults and win on a dominant final score of zero. Sweden took the silver medal on a final score of 12 faults, ahead of The Netherlands on the last step of the podium with 16 faults.

Abbie Oakey and Boutade Ste Hermelle during the team final \ Libby Law Photography

Best in Europe

“This team have proven why I had such confidence in them to come here and win gold for a second successive championships,” team manager Gary Marshall commented afterwards. “I really just tried to instil into them that they were the best in Europe, having beaten all the other nations already this season in FEI Nations Cups.

“It was a case of managing their emotions and making sure they kept cool heads – I knew if they did they would win gold and that’s how it transpired. To do it on a perfect score of zero is remarkable and it’s a testament to the support staff that I have and these athletes have.

“We couldn’t do it without these parents, trainers and grooms, the likes of Hayley and Sally-Anne behind the scenes and also Tim O’Hagen, our vet out here. We are very much a team and we have won here because of that team mentality – I’m extremely proud of them all.”

Team sponsor, Gain Equine Nutrition’s Irish Country Manager, Philip Gilligan said: “It is fantastic for the pony show jumping team to be coming home with a gold medal. They are a very talented group of riders and we are delighted with the result. On behalf of everyone at Gain, I would like to congratulate Gary Marshall and the Pony Show Jumping team on this success.”

Horse Sport Ireland CEO, Denis Duggan, added: “This is a brilliant achievement and a huge credit to Gary Marshall and everyone who has helped prepare these athletes to win consecutive gold medals. Following the success of the Young Rider and Junior show jumping teams in Gorla Minore it’s brilliant to see the pony team win Ireland’s third team gold medal this summer.”