Irish Para Equestrian Team Takes Third at Deauville Nations Cup

On their first competitive outing since winning multiple medals at the London Paralympics, Ireland's para dressage team took a third place at the Nations' Cup in Deauville, France at the weekend.

Ireland, driven by Helen Kearney and Geraldine Savage in the Grade Ia class, after three days of competition found themselves on the podium alongside winners Great Britain and runners-up Denmark.

In Friday's Nations Cup Grade 1a test, Helen Kearney took second place with Mr. Cool on scores of 70.522 per cent and 71.261, with Geraldine Savage close behind in third on Blue Tip Top Too, scoring 69.565 per cent and 68.261.

In Grade IV James Dwyer and Orlando were also seventh on 67.310 and 66.048, with Rosemary Gaffney and Aldham Mill Dubloon in eighth, scoring 67.095 and 66.81. Ireland's top three performances were counted for the Nations' Cup.

In the Grade III test Kate Kerr Horan and Terence Hill, competing individually for the first time at the more demanding Grade III level, had a creditable seventh placed finish on 61.447 per cent, while in Sunday's Freestyle test Helen Kearney took second on 75.900 per cent, with Geraldine Savage fifth on 71.750 with Blue Tip Top Too.

Participation in the Deauville competition is part of the Horse Sport Ireland Para Equestrian High Performance plan, in preparation for the Para Equestrian Dressage European Championships at Herning in Denmark on 19- 25 August 2013.