Tipperary riders help Ireland to strike gold at European showjumping championships

Ireland’s Junior showjumpers are European champions after a stunning display at the FEI Jumping European Championships in Riesenbeck in Germany.

Denis Flannelly’s team of Alice Wachman and Tabitha Kyle (both from Tipperary), Paddy Reape (Sligo), Jack Kent (Waterford) and Emily Moloney (Kilkenny) closed out the competition in style at the German venue, taking the gold medal on a final score of 6.99.

Ireland proved much too strong for Europe’s best after three fantastic days of jumping. 

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The team were well placed in fifth position of 22 competing nations after Tuesday’s first round. A dominant display on Wednesday saw them shoot into a clear lead, and Thursday afternoon was all about consolidation as the chasing pack attempted to apply pressure.

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First to jump was Reape and Mr Rocky Blue, bred in Co. Down by George McCullogh, and they were unfortunate at the wall for four faults. Reape kept his composure under pressure, however, and came home with just that blemish, which would keep Ireland in the lead regardless.

Next into the arena was Kyle and BP Goodfellas, owned and bred by Ballypatrick, and they did what they have done all week, delivering a flawless round of jumping. It meant that a clear round from Wachman would secure the gold medal for Ireland, with closest pursuers The Netherlands more than a fence behind.

Cool as ice, Wachman and Killarney were foot-perfect, delivering the all-important clear to bring home the first gold medal of the week and spark jubilant scenes.

Moloney, Ireland’s anchor, was stress-free from a team perspective with gold already in the bag, but she is still very much in contention for individual honours with Temple Alice, bred by Susan McDonald. She put the seal on the victory and kept herself in the silver medal position with yet another clear round.

The Netherlands finished in second place on a score of 12.79, with Belgium finishing third on 20.60.

Flannelly said: "I'm absolutely thrilled with the performances of these athletes and their horses this week and delighted that they have won gold. It's not just them I'm proud of, though. I'm so proud of their coaches, their team around them both here and at home, and the families who support them in every respect on this journey to help them achieve this today.

"Every one of them has jumped their heart out all week and to bring home a gold medal is testament to work put in by these riders, as well as all of the riders who have jumped on Nations Cups this year and helped push us all to the highest level".