The Irish under-14 Children on Horses team scooped their first European Championship gold medal after a thrilling jump-off with Germany today (9 July 2011) at Comporta in Portugal.
There were16 nations competing over two days. Last night, Ireland was equal third with France, but this afternoon produced four consecutive clear rounds to tie with Germany on four faults, forcing a jump-off for the gold medal, which Ireland won with a fence in hand.
Team performance
Cormac Hanley from Mayo, riding the Irish-bred Pageant Prince went clear through all three rounds. Waterford's Thomas Harty and another Irish-bred horse Young Limerick were clear in the first round and the discard score in the second, but recovered to produce four faults in the jump-off.
Tim McDonagh from Galway, riding Cord'Alou, produced a first round eight-faulter, but went clear in the second round and had four faults in the jump-off. Fermanagh's Kerry Taggart on yet another Irish-bred horse Miss Contradiction started with a single mistake in the first round, but then went clear all the way to help the Irish team secure the European championship on a four fault total.
Germany collected eight faults in the jump-off to take the silver medal, while Britain, on six faults after two rounds, settled for bronze.
Ireland's chef d'equipe at the European Championships was Commandant John Ledingham, while the reserve rider was Tyrone's Hannah Smyth.
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