Ireland began the championships as firm favourites following an historic performance at the championship the year before, where they won team gold as well as individual gold, silver and bronze medals - this, along with victories in the FEI Youth Nations Cup this year in Opgableek, Compiegne, Zuidwolde and Hagen, made them the favourites.

Team Ireland take GOLD for the Team Jumping Final. Pictured are Kian Dore; Emily Moloney; Abbie Oakey; Paddy Reape; James Derwin, with team manager Gary Marshall at the 2023 FEI European Championships for Ponies at Le Mans, France \ Libby Law Photography

The Irish team of Westmeath’s James Derwin riding Rincoola Babog, Kilkenny’s Abbie Oakey (Boutade Ste Hermelle), Limerick’s Kian Dore (Sparkling Lackaghmore Joey), Sligo’s Paddy Reape (Fernando) and Kilkenny’s Emily Moloney riding Lady Crown took the gold medal when finishing on a flawless zero score. Sweden had to settle for silver when finishing on 12 faults, while the bronze went to Britain on 16 faults.

Irish riders continued to dominate at the championships, as 16-year-old Sligo rider Paddy Reape became a double European Champion, as he took the individual gold medal with a brilliant display with his pony Fernando, when they were the only combination to jump clear in all four rounds of the championships. Limerick’s Kian Dore and Sparkling Lackaghmore Joey also finished on the podium, taking the bronze medal.

Paddy Reape rides Fernando on his way to the gold medal in the Individual Championships for Jumping Final at the 2023 FEI European Championships for Ponies at Le Mans, France \ Libby Law Photography

Victory in FEI Nations Cup

In April, the Irish Pony Show Jumping team put in another brilliant display, as they claimed the Compiegne FEI Nations Cup.

The Gary Marshall-managed team of Kian Dore (Sparkling Lackaghmore Joey), Katie Nallon (Balthazar De Bordes), Chloe Hughes Kennedy (HK Zena) and James Derwin riding Rincoola Babog (ISH), finished on top of the podium after they put in a foot-perfect second round. Ireland lay in second after the first round on eight faults, four behind Great Britain, but three clear rounds in round two secured the victory after James Derwin’s faultless final round.

Ireland claim victory in Hagen

The Irish Pony Show Jumping Team added yet another Nations Cup victory to their record at the FEI Youth Nations Cup in Hagen, Germany. The team of Kian Dore, Senan Reape, Paddy Reape and James Derwin finished the two-round Nations Cup on a team score of zero, the only one of the four teams competing to achieve this.

Kian Dore got the team off to a great start delivering a double clear aboard Sparkling Lackaghmore Joey. Senan Reape partnered Nora, while Paddy Reape also jumped double clear with Fernando and James Derwin jumped clear in the opening round with Rincoola Babog and, with the win in the bag, he did not have to jump again for Ireland to take the win.

Win in Zuidwolde

The Irish Pony Show Jumping Team continued to deliver the results as the team of Abbie Oakey (Boutade STE Hermelle), Annie Boland (Jimtown), Chloe Hughes Kennedy (HK Zena), Emily Moloney (Lady Crown) and Gary Dooley (Luitta) were the only team to finish with a team score of zero. Competing in the FEI Youth Nations Cup in Zuidwolde, The Netherlands, Irish riders jumped seven clear rounds across the two rounds, an unfortunate rail down for Annie Boland in her first round kept it from being eight clear rounds. Second place was divided between France and The Netherlands who both finished on a team score of 12.

Emily Moloney and Lady Crown were part of the winning Irish pony team in Zuidwolde, The Netherlands

Opglabbeek

The Irish Pony Show Jumping team claimed a brilliant win in the FEI Youth Nations Cup Finals at Opglabbeek in Belgium. The Irish team of Kian Dore (Sparkling Lackaghmore Joey), Emily Moloney (Lady Crown), Paddy Reape (Fernando) and James Derwin (Rincoola Babog), managed by Gary Marshall, came into the final round in second place behind Belgium.

Ireland added no penalties in the final round to their first round score of four faults to take victory, ahead of The Netherlands, who finished second on 10 faults, while Britain finished third on 12 faults.

Kian Dore rides Sparkling Lackaghmore Joey during the Individual Championship for Jumping Final, where they finished third to take the bronze medal at the 2023 FEI European Championships for Ponies at Le Mans, France \ Libby Law Photography

FEI Pony Trophy in Stuttgart

Towards the end of the year, the results continued to flood in, with Kian Dore and the 10-year-old gelding Sparkling Lackaghmore Joey recording a win in the third leg of the FEI Pony Trophy in Stuttgart, Germany.

The result meant that Kian led the FEI Pony Trophy leaderboard on 40 points. Also in the ribbons was Lauren Adams and Slieve Bloom Bella Rose, who finished in fifth place. Emily Moloney and her seven-year-old pony, Lady Crown, finished in seventh place.

Claudia Carroll and Attyrory Warrior won the 1.30m Ponies Grand Prix at Jumping de Achterhoek, Lichtenvoorde, The Netherlands \ DigiShots

Sentower Park

An impressive Claudia Carroll and Attyrory Warrior claimed victory in the Pony Big Tour in Sentower Park (BEL). Olivia Nell finished sixth in the CSIP Grand Prix at Sentower with Clinton Class (ISH). Olivia also finished in 10th place with Bungi, while Annie Boland finished seventh on board Candy Coco (ISH).

The Irish topped off this winning streak with Carroll and Attyrory Warrior clocking up another win in the Pony Grand Prix in Lichtenvoorde. Elizabeth McMahon and Lurgan Sallyann also featured in the ribbons, taking the win in the ponies small tour, while Aimee Moloney and Venice Optima claimed the runner-up place.

National Highlights

Of course, the success of our underage riders begins at home with a very high standard of competition, starting with the Equijump Ltd Pony and Children on Horses Spring Tour. Following eight competitive rounds and the final in Portmore, DJ Kent claimed the 128cm Under 10 crown, while Charlie Flynn put in a great performance to claim the 128cm title. Winner of the 148cm title was Holly Maher.

Charlie Flynn and Knud Van Orchid'S winners of the 138cm championships at Dublin Horse Show 2023 \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

RDS Championships 138cm

First up to battle it out were riders in the North Star-sponsored 138cm Championships. A total of 14 hopefuls put their best foot forward in a bid to take the title and, in the end, it was Charlie Flynn and Knud Van Orchid’s that claimed the title. All eyes were on the defending champions, Ruben Roley and Mayfly Green Peter and the Carlow rider clearly had a win in mind, as he took a series of tight lines and took the lead when they came home clear in 29.64.

A prolific winner on the National circuit, Charlie Flynn knew what he needed to do as he took to the course with Knud Van Orchid’s. The Tipperary rider wasted no time and negotiated a very tight line to fence six. Although they had a slight slip at the approach to fence 11, they maintained the pace and clocked the winning time of 27.94 and, in the process, demoted Foley into second.

Last to go, Juliet Quirke put in a well-executed round with Blackwood Killamaster and came home clear in 34.40 for third place.

RDS Championships 148cm

Following his European Championship medal success, Sligo’s Paddy Reape added another win to his list of accolades, as he claimed the North Star 148cm Championship crown aboard Valma De Fougnard.The first round was up to standard for the 14 combinations that booked their place; of those, four booked their place against the clock. First to go, Paddy Reape was not fazed by the pressure and set off strongly with Valma De Fougnard and set the winning time of 32.50.

Paddy Reape and Valma De Fougnard, winners of the 148cm championships at Dublin Horse Show 2023 \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

Fellow gold medal team member, James Derwin was next to take it on with Rincoola Babog and, although he took a series of tight lines, he had to settle for second place when he came home with nothing to add in a time of 33.16. Last to go, Alexandra Kiernan and Sweet Renees Girl answered all the questions in a time of 42.56 for third place.

RDS Championships128cm

Friday’s jumping in the main arena came to an exciting close with the 18 combinations contesting the North Star 128cm Championship. Claiming this coveted title was Waterford’s Aimee Moloney and Ellis Island D’Argan.

This combination meant business from the start. Cheered on by the crowd, they galloped home and clocked the winning round of clear in 36.80. Kilkenny rider Ava O’Neill knew what she needed to do as she set off strongly with He’s A Touch Of Magic. She took a similar route as the leader, but despite a series of tight lines, a clear in 37.11 meant she took the reserve championship.

Alayna Hawkins and Ballynacregga Red also put in an impressive round and, despite a slip on the approach to fence nine, the pairing came home clear in 40.26 for third place.

128cm Six/seven-year-olds

The 128cm Six/seven-year-old class, supported by Horse Sport Ireland, saw a total of 11 combinations battle it out, in what was a well-supported competition. Leading the victory lap was Limerick’s Isabelle Mangan and the six-year-old Killorglin Boy after they were awarded a score of 158 marks.

138cm, 148cm Six/seven-year-olds

Winner of the 138cm Six/seven-year-olds was Galway rider Alayna Hawkins and Ballyduff Lad on an impressive score of 167.

Saturday morning saw the final of the 148cm Six/seven-year-olds, with 23 combinations lining out in a bid to take the title. Claiming the title was Wexford’s Lauren Adams aboard the six-year-old ASJ Samurai.

Ballinroe Pony Premier

Considered as the pinnacle of pony national jumping, the Ballinroe Pony Premier came down to the wire. Harvey Oscar Foley was crowned the under 10 champion, while Georgia de Bromhead was crowned the 128cm Champion. No stranger to success in this league, Ruben Foley was crowned the 138cm Champion, while the 148cm title was claimed by Gary Dooley.

Once again, the leading pony in the under 10 and the 128cm was the very popular, The Silver Legend. The leading pony in the 138cm was Knud Van Orchid’s, while Coppenagh Gatsby was the leading 148cm pony.

SJI National Championships

Mullingar Equestrian once again hosted the SJI Pony Championships and, after some very tough competition, the champions were crowned on the final day. Following a great season, Harvey Oscar Foley and The Silver Legend were crowned the 128cm under 10 champions, while Kaitie McEvoy and Tynan Petal claimed the reserve. Continuing his upward spiral, Charlie Flynn and Daffodil were crowned the 128cm champions, while Luicia Keane and Ravara Mohawk claimed the reserve 128cm title. Ruben Foley added another title to his record, as he claimed the 138cm crown with Mayfly Green Peter, with Cian McMunn and Cantum De Beaulier taking the reserve.

Lilly Tunney and The Fireman were crowned the 148cm champions, while Claudia Carroll and Attrory Warrior took the reserve.

Ruben Foley claimed his second title, as he claimed the ACE 148cm 1.10m Derby with Bearna Rua Jenny. Annie Hynes took the John Sweeney and Family 138cm Metre Derby with Lakeview Jackie Sparrow.

Josh Fitzgerald claimed the Isobel Boutique 128cm Under 10 85cm Derby with Miss Lexi, while Alex Maloney took the Seamus Daly 128cm 90cm Derby with Almar Chubba Chubba.

Abbie Oakey rides Boutade Ste Hermelle during the Team Jumping Final at the 2023 FEI European Championships for Ponies at Le Mans, France \ Libby Law Photography