Kearney just outside medals again at JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships

Helen Kearney just missed out on a medal for the second consecutive day when finishing fourth at in the individual Freestyle final for the Grade 1a category at the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships in Denmark.

Kearney also finished fourth in the championship class yesterday but it was still a good week for the Mooncoin woman and her Irish-bred stallion Mr Cool, even if she couldn't match the silver medal-winning effort in last year's London Paralympics.

The pair recorded a score of 72.800 in the JYSK Arena in Herning, which was 3.3% shy of the bronze medal won by Italian Sara Morganti. The competition was won by Briton Sophie Christiansen, with compatriot Anne Dunham in second.

Kate Kerr-Honan continued her progress this week with a championship-high score of 65.500 on board Arlande in the Grade III Freestyle final.

The 20-year-old, competing at her first major championships, looked very composed and given that she only has Arlande three months, appears to have a very bright future at international level.
Team manager, Dara Kearney expressed herself satisfied with the day's competition and with the week in general.

"I was happy enough" said the manager. "Everybody did their best.

"Helen gave another very good performance, while I was very happy with Kate. Her marks have been creeping up all the time, she's building experience and it was a good achievement to get into the Freestyle final. It was another test at the highest level and that will stand to her."