Irish Pony Show Jumpers secure European individual Gold and Bronze along with team silver in Le Mans

Ireland’s outstanding record at European Pony Show Jumping level continued this weekend, with Irish riders securing individual Gold and Bronze medals along with team Silver at the 2025 FEI European Pony Championships at Le Mans in France.

Sligo’s Cian McMunn and Esperando SK were crowned the new European Pony Show Jumping individual Gold Medal winners following a stunning display by the pair at the French venue. They were one of just two combinations to remain on a zero score after the qualifiers and two rounds of the final and had to battle through a tense jump-off before being finally crowned European Champions.

The individual silver medal went to Britain’s Darcy Honeybunn Daisy Breen, daughter of Ireland’s Shane Breen, while a jump-off was also need to decide the bronze medal after two riders finished the final rounds on four faults. At the finish, Tipperary’s Charlie Flynn and HK Zena (ISH) emerged as the European Bronze medal winners after another brilliant performance. Fermanagh’s Lily Tunney and Fireman rounded-off a superb performance from the Irish riders with a fifth place finish individually.

The result came on the back of a Silver medal win for the Irish Pony team on Friday. The Irish team of Charlie Flynn (HK Zena), Ruben Foley (Wineport Q Junior), Cian McMunn (Esperando SK), Lily Tunney (Fireman) and Sam Widger (Western Ranger), managed by Denis Flannelly, were in a four way tie for the lead following Thursday’s opening competition. The lead was reduced to two teams following Friday morning’s second round when Ireland and Britain both produced flawless performances. After a jump-off to decide the winners, Britain eventually emerged as Gold medal winners while Ireland took the Silver and Belgium the Bronze.

In the European Pony Eventing competition, Kitty Cullen and Coppenagh Spring Sparrow (ISH) finished best of the Irish individually in 10th place, just ahead of Hugh Kelly with Fairyhouse In A Pickle (ISH) in 11th spot. The Irish Pony Eventing team finished in sixth place overall with the team gold medal going to the home team from France.

Irish Horse Board Director General Alison Corbally said:
“This was another hugely impressive performance from our Irish riders to win individual gold and Bronze along with team Silver at these European Championships. Many congratulations to all of the riders, their parents, coaches and all of those working behind the scenes to make this wonderful achievement possible. It was also no surprise to see many of the successful ponies at the championships, on the Irish team and the other international squads were bred in Ireland.”