Despite the poor weather hindering the start of the national and international season 2018 was a standout year for Irish eventing, with Irish athletes posting some of their best ever results. There is no doubt that the highlight of the year was the individual and team silver medal winning performance at the World Equestrian Games (WEG), which also guaranteed Ireland’s place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Sally Corcadden’s team of Sarah Ennis, Cathal Daniels, Padraig McCarthy and Sam Watson, and individual rider Patricia Ryan held their own at WEG. Padraig McCarthy also claimed individual silver. The international focus now turns to the Senior European Championships in Luhmuhlen at the end of August.
Padraig McCarthy and Mr Chunky, Individual and team silver medal winners at WEG 2018. \ Tomas Holcbecher
It was recently announced that Sally Corscadden will remain at the helm of Irish eventing as she signed a two-year contract extending her term as team manager until 2020. Fundraising in the form of the eventing demo tour kick-started the 2018 season and it looks like 2019 will be the same. Corscadden and her team will be at Spruce Lodge, Co Wicklow for a High Performance Demo and Workshop on February 9th. More information is available from the Eventing Ireland website.
Not to be overlooked is the success of the pony eventing team. These riders are the future of Irish eventing and seeing them shine on the international stage can only breathe more life into the sport. Under the management of Becky Cullen the team of Isabelle Comerford, Chloe Fagan, Holly Love and Harry Swan won team silver. Individual rider Sophie Foyle also picked up an individual silver medal riding Little Miss Fernhill.
National season
There were over 40 national events and five international events held in Ireland in 2018. The all-weather surface in Millstreet helped get the season started when the Beast from the East hampered most events.
It was a busy season with national events running almost every weekend. For many riders the highlight of the season came with the National Championships at Kilguilkey, Co Cork.
Brian Morrison and Westeria Lane won the Connolly’s Red Mills CNC3* championship, while Nessa Briody and Tom Boy (HPA) had a double clear to win the Hoofprints Innovations O’CNC2*.
In the one star divisions Lucca Stubington won the TopSpec CNC1* class with her mother’s eight-year-old gelding Quingenti. Alyssa O’Neill won the ISH Eventing Series CNC1* six-year-old championship and Ben Rowlatt-McCormick claimed the Bit Media CNCJ1*. The remaining junior class, the packman Pizza EI100 Junior championship, went to Jack Carr.
Sophie Foyle and Little Miss Fernhill won individual silver at the Eventing European Championships for Ponies in Bishop Burton, UK. \ Helen Revington
Fraser Duffy won the Eventing Ireland EI100 title with Sligo Candy Royal. In the ISH Eventing Series EI100 five-year-old championship Ian Cassells won with Master Point and the four-year-old division went to Camilla Speirs riding BT Juste Capitaine.
The Husk-sponsored amateur divisions were hotly contested. Sadhbh McGrath won the CNC1* division with Bridgemans Cocoa Malt, Holly McClenaghan guided Blacklaw Pelorus to victory in the EI100 division and Rebecca O’Toole claimed the EI90 division.
Pony riders were well represented at the National Championships. Heather O’Connor partnered Robin Hood’s Gentle Cloud to victory in the Fernhill Sport Horses CNCP2*, Tom Rowlatt-McCormick claimed the Eventing Ireland EI100 and the Kilguilkey Sweet Shack EI90 pony division went to Lottie Ross with Splendid B.
Connolly's Red Mills CNC3* national champions Westeria Lane ridden by Brian Morrison. \ Louise O'Brien
Jonty Evans and Cooley Rorkes Drift (ISH)
Jonty Evans
The eventing fraternity was shaken when Jonty Evans, was left in a coma for seven weeks after a severe fall he sustained while riding Cooley Rorkes Drift in the CIC3* at Tattersalls at the beginning of June.
Much to everyone’s relief Evan’s has already made a remarkable recovery. He was initially treated at Beaumont Hospital and Connolly Hospital. Since returning to the UK Evans has been undergoing rehabilitation under the auspices of Hobbs Rehabilitation’s programme at Oaksey House.
Evans has been going to the gym, swimming and cycling as part of his therapy. It is still unclear whether he will ride again but everyone is very thankful for his recovery so far.
Despite the poor weather hindering the start of the national and international season 2018 was a standout year for Irish eventing, with Irish athletes posting some of their best ever results. There is no doubt that the highlight of the year was the individual and team silver medal winning performance at the World Equestrian Games (WEG), which also guaranteed Ireland’s place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Sally Corcadden’s team of Sarah Ennis, Cathal Daniels, Padraig McCarthy and Sam Watson, and individual rider Patricia Ryan held their own at WEG. Padraig McCarthy also claimed individual silver. The international focus now turns to the Senior European Championships in Luhmuhlen at the end of August.
Padraig McCarthy and Mr Chunky, Individual and team silver medal winners at WEG 2018. \ Tomas Holcbecher
It was recently announced that Sally Corscadden will remain at the helm of Irish eventing as she signed a two-year contract extending her term as team manager until 2020. Fundraising in the form of the eventing demo tour kick-started the 2018 season and it looks like 2019 will be the same. Corscadden and her team will be at Spruce Lodge, Co Wicklow for a High Performance Demo and Workshop on February 9th. More information is available from the Eventing Ireland website.
Not to be overlooked is the success of the pony eventing team. These riders are the future of Irish eventing and seeing them shine on the international stage can only breathe more life into the sport. Under the management of Becky Cullen the team of Isabelle Comerford, Chloe Fagan, Holly Love and Harry Swan won team silver. Individual rider Sophie Foyle also picked up an individual silver medal riding Little Miss Fernhill.
National season
There were over 40 national events and five international events held in Ireland in 2018. The all-weather surface in Millstreet helped get the season started when the Beast from the East hampered most events.
It was a busy season with national events running almost every weekend. For many riders the highlight of the season came with the National Championships at Kilguilkey, Co Cork.
Brian Morrison and Westeria Lane won the Connolly’s Red Mills CNC3* championship, while Nessa Briody and Tom Boy (HPA) had a double clear to win the Hoofprints Innovations O’CNC2*.
In the one star divisions Lucca Stubington won the TopSpec CNC1* class with her mother’s eight-year-old gelding Quingenti. Alyssa O’Neill won the ISH Eventing Series CNC1* six-year-old championship and Ben Rowlatt-McCormick claimed the Bit Media CNCJ1*. The remaining junior class, the packman Pizza EI100 Junior championship, went to Jack Carr.
Sophie Foyle and Little Miss Fernhill won individual silver at the Eventing European Championships for Ponies in Bishop Burton, UK. \ Helen Revington
Fraser Duffy won the Eventing Ireland EI100 title with Sligo Candy Royal. In the ISH Eventing Series EI100 five-year-old championship Ian Cassells won with Master Point and the four-year-old division went to Camilla Speirs riding BT Juste Capitaine.
The Husk-sponsored amateur divisions were hotly contested. Sadhbh McGrath won the CNC1* division with Bridgemans Cocoa Malt, Holly McClenaghan guided Blacklaw Pelorus to victory in the EI100 division and Rebecca O’Toole claimed the EI90 division.
Pony riders were well represented at the National Championships. Heather O’Connor partnered Robin Hood’s Gentle Cloud to victory in the Fernhill Sport Horses CNCP2*, Tom Rowlatt-McCormick claimed the Eventing Ireland EI100 and the Kilguilkey Sweet Shack EI90 pony division went to Lottie Ross with Splendid B.
Connolly's Red Mills CNC3* national champions Westeria Lane ridden by Brian Morrison. \ Louise O'Brien
Jonty Evans and Cooley Rorkes Drift (ISH)
Jonty Evans
The eventing fraternity was shaken when Jonty Evans, was left in a coma for seven weeks after a severe fall he sustained while riding Cooley Rorkes Drift in the CIC3* at Tattersalls at the beginning of June.
Much to everyone’s relief Evan’s has already made a remarkable recovery. He was initially treated at Beaumont Hospital and Connolly Hospital. Since returning to the UK Evans has been undergoing rehabilitation under the auspices of Hobbs Rehabilitation’s programme at Oaksey House.
Evans has been going to the gym, swimming and cycling as part of his therapy. It is still unclear whether he will ride again but everyone is very thankful for his recovery so far.
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