IRELAND TAKES TEAM GOLD MEDAL IN JUNIOR EUROPEAN EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIPS

THE GAIN Horse Feeds Irish Junior (Under 18) eventing team today (Sunday) took the Gold Medal after the final show jumping phase of the European Championships at Haras de Jardy in France.

The team were lying in Bronze medal position after dressage, but brilliant clears on the cross country track on Saturday from Cathal Daniels on Rioghan Rua, Elizabeth Hayden with Miracle and Harold Megahey on Chuckelberry left them in the team silver medal position before today's show jumping competition.

However, after appeals hearings last night, the Irish team moved into Gold Medal position before the final phase of the championships.

Elizabeth Hayden and her Irish Sport Horse Miracle, who were lying third individually overnight, today took the Individual Silver medal for Ireland after a superb clear round in show jumping.

Ireland's fourth team rider Josh Pim on The Irish Minstrel had an unfortunate fall on the Cross Country course yesterday but he and his horse were reported to be fine afterwards.

Irish individual rider Susie Berry with Bolero de Ste Hermelle put in an outstanding clear cross country round and held her eighth place in the individual competition today after incurring five show jumping faults. Ireland's other individual Maria Byrne did not compete yesterday as her horse had picked up a minor knock.

The Irish team is managed by Debbie Byrne with dressage coach Terry Boon, Show Jumping Coach Ian Fearon and Team Vet Will Lalor.