Pony riders take silver

Irish pony riders had a successful week at the FEI Pony European Championships in Bishop Burton, England.

Tipperary’s Max Wachman claimed individual silver in the individual show jumping competition.

Riding Cuffesgrange Cavalidam (ISH), Wachman produced two foot-perfect clear rounds in the final day of jumping at the championships, moving him from fourth to second place.

Sweden’s Ingemar Hammarström won gold. The Irish pony show jumping team of Francis Derwin, Katie Power, Tom Wachman and Max Wachman finished fourth in the team standings.

The Irish pony eventing team of Isabelle Comerford (Colour Me Fancy), Chloe Fagan (Fernhill Timbacktoo), Holly Love (Cloughreagh Charlie) and Harry Swan (Wilderwood Storm) took home silver medals in the eventing championships. Britain claimed gold, while France were one mark behind Ireland with bronze.

Individual Irish rider Sophie Foyle riding Little Miss Fernhill won individual silver. A clear show jumping round from Foyle kept her on her dressage score and helped her move up the leader board. Ireland’s second individual rider Ava Banahan, with Regent Des Mauvis, finished ninth.

Speaking about the result, HSI CEO Ronan Murphy said: “This really is a superb result from our riders as a team and also individually. They were hugely impressive in all three phases and put themselves in a great position on the final day. They showed incredible composure to bring home the team silver medal along with individual silver for Sophie Foyle. I want to congratulate all our team and individual riders and their familes, our pony eventing team manager Becky Cullen and thank all our loyal sponsors.”