Local girls selected for Irish Pony Eventing European Squad
Erin and Molly travel to Le Mans for FEI European Championship for Ponies
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The Northern Region of Eventing Ireland has much to be proud of this week, as two of its members travelled to Le Mans, France after being selected for the squad of six athletes that will represent Ireland at the 2023 FEI European Championships for Ponies taking place from July 27 to 30.
Erin Mathieson from Co. Tyrone and Molly O’Connor from Co. Down were among the six talented young athletes selected by Pony Eventing High Performance Manager Jane Kinsella.
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16-year-old Erin from Moy and her 10-year-old pony ‘Longwood Dawn’ (aka ‘Colin’), owned by Erin’s mum, Hilary Mathieson, made their eventing debut at Maddybenny in 2021 and, since then, the pair have gone from strength to strength, competing at prestigious events such as Ballindenisk and Millstreet, before their selection for the FEI European Championship squad.
Molly, 15, from Seaforde, began her riding career at Tullymurry Equestrian Centre in 2017. She got her first pony, a 13hh bay gelding called ‘Glider’, in June 2018 and joined East Down Pony Club. Molly then got 13-year-old ‘Coolnaleen Rebel’ (aka ‘Todd’), owned by her dad, Paul O’Connor, in November 2020 and, in May 2021, they did their first Eventing Ireland event!
“‘Todd’ took me from my first event to my first two-star and now my first ever championship!” said Molly.
She says she is most looking forward to wearing her green jacket with her team mates, as well as the cross-country course this week!
The full Irish Pony Eventing Squad in alphabetical order is:
Ben Connors with Cornafest Fred, from Co. Kildare
Erin Mathieson with Longwood Dawn, from Co. Tyrone
Ciara O’Connor with Agharanny Minstrel, from Co. Wicklow
Molly O’Connor with Coolnaleen Rebel, from Co. Down
Carla Williamson with Galco, from Co. Meath
Hannah Willis with Kilnaspic Lily, from Co. Wexford
After the announcement of the squad, Kinsella said: “I am thrilled to announce the squad for the upcoming Pony European Championships in Le Mans, France. We have some really experienced and exciting combinations in the squad this year, including the 2021 and 2022 individual silver medallist Ben Connors on ‘Cornafest Fred’. Ben was also on the 2021 bronze medal-winning and 2022 gold medal-winning teams.
“The athletes selected have performed well at the observation events and have posted some impressive results at national and international level. I am really excited to see how they rise to the challenge of Le Mans and am hoping to continue the incredible success of last year’s pony squad at the European Championships – we will be aiming to bring back medals.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the incredible athletes and thank the parents and the support teams for their engagement with the High Performance Pony Eventing Programme. I would also like to thank all our sponsors.”
Disappointment
Unfortunately, on Wednesday, July 26, Erin had to withdraw ‘Longwood Dawn’ (‘Colin’) from the competition.
Eventing Ireland Northern Region has issued the following statement:
“It is very disappointing to learn this evening that, sadly, Erin Mathieson has had to withdraw ‘Longwood Dawn’ (‘Colin’) from the FEI Pony European Championships due to a temperature spike.
”Those who know Erin know how hard she has worked to make the squad and how excited she was to embark on this journey.
”This is a very difficult knock to take but, we know, Erin has the resilience to deal with this disappointment and she will be there cheering on her other five squad members, as they begin competition tomorrow. We also feel for Hilary, Raymond and the rest of the support team, who are in Le Mans and who have also worked really hard and driven many, many miles to make this dream come true.
”There will be many other opportunities in the future for Erin to display her talents on the big stage and she is already a star in our eyes.
”However, the most important issue at the moment is ensuring that ‘Colin’ makes a full and speedy return to good health and our best wishes go to him and the veterinary team looking after him.
”We all remain steadfastly behind Team Ireland and will be following their progress with pride.”
Breeding
Cornafest Fred (CP) – 2013 gelding by Gwennic De Goariva (CP), out of Corrnafest Nora (CP). Breeder: Thomas Grimes. Owner: Kieran Connors and Michelle Nelson. Rider: Ben Connors (IRL).
Longwood Dawn (CP) – 2013 gelding by I Love You Melody (CP), out of Dawn Delite (CP). Breeder: Conor O’Meara. Owner: Hilary Mathieson. Rider: Erin Mathieson (IRL).
Agharanny Minstrel (CP) – 2007 stallion by Castleside J.J (CP), out of Silver Mint (CP). Breeder: Sean Hynes. Owner: Noreen O’Connor and Sharon O’Connor. Rider: Ciara O’Connor (IRL).
Coolnaleen Rebel (ISH)[TIH] – 2010 gelding by Rebel Mountain (ID), out of Crested Ten Lady (IRE)(TB). Breeder: Noeleen Redmond. Owner: Paul O’Connor. Rider: Molly O’Connor (IRL).
Galco (UNK) – 2014 gelding. Owner: Janet Williamson. Rider: Carla Williamson (IRL)
Kilnaspic Lily (ISH) – 2013 mare by Woodfield Sammy (CP), out of Our Queen (UNK). Breeder: Anneline O’Malley Neary. Owner: Laura Bowe. Rider: Hannah Willis (IRL).