THE Irish eventing team rallied to finish a very creditable fourth place at the 2023 FEI Eventing European Championships at Haras du Pin, France, last weekend.

The team of Sarah Ennis (Grantstown Jackson), Felicity Ward (Regal Bounty), Susie Berry (Clever Trick) and Joseph Murphy (Calmaro) had a disappointing start in the dressage arena but gained significant ground in the cross-country phase. Ireland moved from 10th place to fourth after the gruelling test and stayed there through the show jumping phase, finishing 15 penalties behind the bronze medal-winning team of France.

A spectacular cross-country performance from Ennis, who was the very first rider out on course with the Irish Sport Horse Grantstown Jackson, showing her class to come home clear, just adding 2.4 time penalties and shoot up to fifth place from 54th on the individual standings.

Owned by Susanna Frankie and Peter Cole, the 12-year-old traditionally Irish-bred gelding is by Clover Brigade (ISH) out of the thoroughbred mare Winning Lass. He was bred by Waterford’s Caroline Widger.

“He’s a very fast horse, and we had a bit of ground to make up after our dressage. I knew these conditions would suit him, he’s very light, he’s out of a thoroughbred mare, speed is his thing…the ground is gluey, I was number one out and the take-offs and landings are very sticky.

"Everywhere I pointed him he just kept going…he just kept eyeing up the flags and I’m so proud of him!"

Sarah Ennis posted the second fastest time of the day on cross-country with Granstown Jackson at the FEI Eventing European Championship at Haras du Pin \ EquusPix Photography

Susie Berry also stormed home with Jayne McGivern’s 11-year-old Financial Reward mare in tough conditions, adding 11.2 time penalties, to move up to 13th place (from 43rd) while Murphy was careful with Calmaro, owned by Richard Ames, Tanya Ames, Claire Mayne, Charlie Mayne and Annette O’Callaghan, adding 16.4 for time. Murphy was in 18th place individually after cross-country.

Unfortunately, Ward and the ISH Regal Bounty (Orestus VDL x Senang Hati), bred by Miriam de Feu and owned by James O’Callaghan, fell at fence 19 and were eliminated. Individual rider Ian Cassells was also eliminated on the cross-country, suffering a rider fall at fence 18 with the ISH Woodfarm Jack O D (Jack of Diamonds x Ardcroney Lad VII), owned and bred by Nuala Prendergast.

Also making her senior championship debut following great success in the youth ranks in both eventing and show jumping was Jennifer Kuehnle with Polly Blue Eyes, owned by Hans Kuehnle.

Unfortunately, her dream debut wasn’t to be. A decision was made to withdraw before cross-country due to the challenging ground conditions.

Eight faults in the final show jumping phase saw Sarah Ennis drop to 14th place on a score of 49.2, and Berry picked up four jumping faults and 0.8 for time to end in 16th (51.1)

The star of the day was Calmaro who jumped a brilliant clear to the delight of his present owners, improving six places to finish best of the Irish in 12th place.

“It was a great finish to jump a clear round on the last day of a championship…he’s an amazing horse and I’ve so much admiration for him. I know it’s difficult for him in this atmosphere (very noisy spectators!) and to go in there and channel into me and work with me and allow me to guide him is amazing and the result was a clear round,” Murphy said.

“Yesterday he was incredible, it was as we predicted, the ground was just really horrendous, particularly for a light-framed horse like him that really jumps. He just found it very difficult but he fought for the end and he came home with a very good score so I’m certainly not complaining. But a little bit better ground and you would see the true horse that he really is.

“For me Sarah’s ride was the highlight of the day, it was an incredible round at the time of the day and what she produced was just unbelievable - it really helped to set us up as a team.”