EVENTING Ireland’s youth ambassador Molly O’Connor, who was a member of Ireland’s bronze medal-winning team at the recent Eventing European Championships for Ponies in France, made her debut in Junior company this season on Sarah Hughes’ vastly-experienced Dutch Warmblood gelding Alcatraz.

The new combination filled the runner-up spot in the 100 (J) at Ballindenisk (1) in mid-June to Maya Byrne on Wolf Pack (who were to win again at Kilguilkey House) before landing a similar competition at Hillcrest (3) early last month. The plan is for O’Connor and Alcatraz to be trained by Joseph Murphy for selection for next year’s European Junior championships.

Other Junior winners at this level include Katie Robinson with Ophelia Cruise at The Clare on Saturday, July 8th; Zoe Daniel on Anvil Lodge Pinnochio at Tullymurry on July 15th; Georgina Pettitt with BCL Dynamic at Ballindenisk on July 16th; Rosey Herron riding Solitaite Rusty Brown at Tullymurry on July 22nd; and Tipperary Pony Club member Zach Palmer who scored on board Sir Alexander Diamond at Crecora (2) on July 23rd.

Sam Hamilton, son of Downpatrick racehorse trainer Brian Hamilton and his wife Michelle, partners one of the many successful Connemara ponies on the national circuit, Cahanagh Black Flyer. This combination struck twice at EI100 (P) level in the period under review and, not too surprisingly, at nearby Tullymurry on July 15th and 22nd.