THE Under 14 Children On Horses 1.25m Nations Cup team, who were victorious at Compiegne, France, are the GAIN Equine Nutrition /The Irish Field Star of the Month recipients for April.

The team of Charlie Flynn from Tipperary on Elia, Ted Fagan from Westmeath on Con Sol, Robbie Sheehan from Kilkenny on Fubalia and Sam Widger from Waterford on Jerenice Dysenbeeck Z, were in third place after the first round, when Flynn incurred an unfortunate four faults and Widger’s horse spooked badly at a hedge-clad wall, while Fagan and Sheehan went clear.

Afterwards, team manger James Kernan praised the fighting spirit of the team, particularly that of Widger, who displayed great horsemanship in the second round to incur just four faults. Flynn, Fagan and Sheehan jumped clear second rounds for a final team score of four faults, which was enough for them to claim victory against the 11 other nations!

Fagan and Sheehan both jumped double clear rounds – two of only six in the class.

With such strength and talent in the Children on Horses ranks, there is clearly a lot to look forward to from these young athletes in the season ahead. The Star of the Month nominees for May are detailed on page 76.