The Irish Pony Eventing team of Meath’s Carla Williamson, Down’s Molly O’Connor, Wexford’s Hannah Willis, Wicklow’s Ciara O’Connor and Kildare’s Ben Connors, managed by Jane Kinsella, collected the team bronze medal this morning (Sunday) at the FEI European Championships for Ponies, Le Mans France.
Ireland finished on a final score of 129.2, well clear of fourth placed Netherlands who finished on 180.2. The German team took home the team gold medal on 97.3 while the silver medal went to France on 112.6. The silver medal winning French team included two Connemara Ponies – Duncan’s Star (Derrymore Duncan x Ciuin Star) with Laurick Hardy, bred by Christy Fitzgibbon, and Babylon Night Graves (Midnight du Brana x of Courbette de Gere) with Tifaniie Villenton, bred by Audrey Dauge.
Meath’s Carla Williamson with Galco narrowly missed out on an individual medal. Two fences down in the final jumping phase saw them finish just one place outside the medals in fourth with a score of 35.8. Wicklow’s Ciara O’Connor with Agharanny Minstrel (CP) finished 12th on 45.1, while Down’s Molly O’Connor was 15th with Coolnaleen Rebel (ISH)[TIH] on 48.3. Wexford’s Hannah Willis was just one place further back in 16th with Kilnaspic Lily (ISH) on 53.4, while Kildare’s Ben Connors with Cornafest Fred (CP) finished in 22nd place on 59.8.
Many congratulations to all the riders, parents, coaches, owners and breeders from The Irish Horse Board.
Breeding:
Agharanny Minstrel (CP) – 2007 stallion by Castleside J.J (CP) out of Silver Mint (CP). Breeder: Sean Hynes. Owner: Noreen O’Connor and Sharon O’Connor. Rider: Ciara O’Connor (IRL).
Kilnaspic Lily (ISH) – 2013 mare by Woodfield Sammy (CP) out of Our Queen (UNK). Breeder: Anneline O’Malley Neary. Owner: Laura Bowe. Rider: Hannah Willis (IRL).
Coolnaleen Rebel (ISH)[TIH] – 2010 gelding by Rebel Mountain (ID) out of Crested Ten Lady (IRE)(TB). Breeder: Noeleen Redmond. Owner: Paul O’Connor. Rider: Molly O’Connor (IRL).
Cornafest Fred (CP) – 2013 gelding by Gwennic De Goariva (CP) out of Corrnafest Nora (CP). Breeder: Thomas Grimes. Owner: Kieran Connors and Michelle Nelson. Rider: Ben Connors (IRL).