Irish Pony Show Jumping team win gold at 2023 European Championship in Le Mans, France
Gary Marshall's team makes history with back-to-back victories
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The Irish Pony Show Jumping team made history by winning back-to-back gold medals at the European Championship in Le Mans, France on Friday afternoon, July 28.
Gary Marshall’s team of Kian Dore riding ‘Sparkling Lackamore Joey’, Abbie Oakey riding ‘Boutade Ste Hermelle’, Paddy Reape riding ‘Fernando’, James Derwin riding ‘Rincoola Babog’ (ISH) and Emily Moloney riding ‘Lady Crown’ were utterly dominant throughout and finished the competition on a team score of zero faults.
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Ireland began the championships as firm favourites, following a historic performance at the championship last year, where they won team gold as well as individual gold, silver and bronze medals, added to FEI Youth Nations Cup victories this year in Opgableek, Compiegne, Zuidwolde and Hagen.
The team got off to a strong start in round one, an unlucky four faults from individual rider Co. Kilkenny’s Emily Moloney riding ‘Lady Crown’ being discarded, putting Ireland joint at the top of the leaderboard with Sweden, the Netherlands and Belgium.
Of the nine teams competing, Ireland were the only team to maintain a team score of zero after the second round, giving them a three-fence cushion over nearest pursuers, Sweden.
If the riders were feeling any pressure, a monsoon-like rain shower that caused the final round to be delayed wouldn’t have helped.
When the sun came back out in the French venue for the final round, the Irish team remained cool and composed to add no more faults and win on a dominant final score of zero. Sweden and The Netherlands filled the podium, the former on a score of 12 and the Dutch on 16.
Speaking afterwards, a delighted Marshall said: “This team have proven why I had such confidence in them to come here and win gold for a second successive championships.
“I really just tried to instil into them that they were the best in Europe, having beaten all the other nations already this season in FEI Nations Cups.
“It was a case of managing their emotions and making sure they kept cool heads – I knew if they did, they would win gold and that’s how it transpired. To do it on a perfect score of zero is remarkable and it’s a testament to the support staff that I have and these athletes have.
“We couldn’t do it without these parents, trainers and grooms, the likes of Hayley and Sally-Anne behind the scenes and also Tim, our vet out here. We are very much a team and we have won here because of that team mentality – I’m extremely proud of them all.”
Team sponsor, GAIN Equine Nutrition’s Irish Country Manager, Philip Gilligan said: “It is fantastic for the Pony Show Jumping team to be coming home with a gold medal from the European Pony Championships at Le Mans. They are a very talented group of riders and we are delighted with the result. On behalf of everyone at GAIN, I would like to congratulate Gary Marshall and the Pony Show Jumping team on this success.”
The individual show jumping final has since taken place on Sunday, July 30, with all five of the Irish athletes sitting inside the top 10.
Horse Sport Ireland CEO, Denis Duggan added: “This is a brilliant achievement and a huge credit to Gary Marshall and everyone who has helped prepare these athletes to win consecutive gold medals. Following the success of the Young Rider and Junior show jumping teams in Gorla Minore, it’s brilliant to see the Pony team win Ireland’s third team gold medal this summer. We wish all the athletes competing across all three disciplines at the Pony European Championships over the course of the weekend the very best of luck.”