Irish athletes impress at FEI Youth Nations Cup fixture in Belgium

Irish youth Show Jumping riders enjoyed fantastic success over the weekend at the FEI Youth Nations Cup show held at Sentower Park in Belgium.

The pick of the outstanding results was a comprehensive win for the Irish Pony team in the Nations Cup. The Irish quartet of Sligo’s Cian McMunn (Esperando SK), Wexford’s Lauren Adams (Slieve Bloom Bella Rose), Fermanagh’s Lily Tunney (Fireman) and Sligo’s Senan Reape (Fernando), managed by Gary Marshall, finished on a final score of just four faults to finish well-clear of Sweden in second on 21 faults, while Netherlands finished third on 28 faults.

Wexford’s Lauren Adams also partnered Corradino du Bary to victory in the 1m30 Pony Speed class while third place went to Annie Boland with Candy Coco (ISH). On Thursday at the same venue, Tipperary’s Charlie Flynn and Western Ranger proved unbeatable in the 1m25 Big Tour speed class, taking the win with almost two seconds to spare over their nearest challenger. There was also an Irish winner in the 1m20 Big Tour Pony class with Waterford’s Sam Widger taking victory with Little Smithe (ISH), while third place went to Claudia Carroll aboard Attyrory Warrior (ISPA).

RUNNER-UP FINISH FOR IRISH JUNIOR TEAM

The Irish U18 (Junior) Show Jumping team of Gary Dooley (CSF Olympic Jewel), Paddy Reape (Creevagh Special), Camryn Clarke (Conto de Reve), and Emily Moloney (Temple Alice), managed by James Kernan, finished as runners-up in their FEI Youth Nations Cup at Sentower. Ireland finished the two rounds on a 12 fault total – the same score as Netherlands who finished third in a slower time than the Irish. Victory went to Belgium who were the only team to complete on a zero score.

Galway’s Gary Dooley (pictured) and CSF Olympic Jewel (ISH), bred by Brian Connolly, went on to take victory in Sunday’s 1m40 Junior Grand Prix following a 9-horse jump-off. Kilkenny’s Emily Moloney was also in the prizes, taking sixth place with Temple Alice (ISH).
Meanwhile in the U14 (Children On Horses) FEI Nations Cup, the Irish team of Charlie Flynn (Elia), Ted Fagan (Con Sol), Robbie Sheehan (Fubalia) and Sam Widger (Jerenice Dysenbeeck Z), managed by James Kernan, finished fourth with victory going to Belgium.

BREEDING
CSF Olympic Jewel (ISH) 2016 mare, by Mylord Carthago (SF) out of Olympic Clover by Clover Hill, bred by Brian Connolly, owned by Declan Dooley.
Temple Alice (ISH) gelding by Foxglen Cruise Control (AES) out of Innishannon Shamrock (ISH) by Rantis Diamond (ISH) bred by Susan MacDonald