Pony European Championships - First Medal Goes To Germany As Ireland Takes Early Showing Jumping Lead

The first gold medal was awarded to Germany at the European Pony Championships at Millstreet, Cork, today when they took the team gold in Dressage. Silver went to Great Britain, and Bronze to the Netherlands. The Irish team finished 11th on their first ever appearance in the dressage Championships.

The Show Jumping and Eventing competitions also got underway today, with the Gain Horse Feeds Irish Show Jumping team delivering three brilliant clear rounds from Mikey Pender riding Doon Laddie, Grace McHugh riding Cassandra Van het Roelhof and Susan Fitzpatrick riding Rock Dee Jay. The fourth team member, Sean Monaghan riding Attyrory Rebel, had 12 faults. However, as only the best three rounds count, his score for today was discarded leaving Ireland on zero penalties and in joint first place with France.

The team Jumping competition will conclude tomorrow with each rider jumping two further rounds to decide the destination of the medals on Friday afternoon.

The Eventing competition got underway today and after two riders from each team, Ireland lie in fifth place with Germany taking an early lead.

Ireland's team of four, sponsored by Gain Horse Feeds, in the order in which they are competing is:

Patrick Dennehy/ Rosedown (ISH)

Sophie Buller/ G Maha (ISH)

Lucy Hancock/ Newtown Westie (ISH)

Fionn Clarke/ Black Velvet Band

Eight other riders are competing as individuals. Ireland's two other two team riders will undertake their Dressage tests tomorrow with the Cross Country phase on Saturday and the eventing Show Jumping phase bringing the competition to a conclusion on Sunday.