The Kernan touch

It was a lesson in positivity to visit with James Kernan at his home in Crossmaglen. I came away knowing what this former European Junior Champion brings to his role as Ireland’s Junior and Young Rider Chef d’Equipe is a huge enthusiasm, incomparable experience and a steely determination to win.

We spoke about the two individual golds plus silver and bronze team medals achieved at this year’s Europeans in Fontainebleau.

However, at one point he stopped me and said: “You know I am disappointed we did not win junior team gold. At our last training session in Barnadown I told our course builder Alan Wade that we had the horses and riders to do it. So yes, I am disappointed and the riders know it as well.”

Enthusiasm

I asked him how he felt when appointed to the post: “Sure I was mad for it, loved it. I can remember what it meant to my family when I won the championship on Marcella. My grandfather bought the mare after the likes of Tommy Brennan, Seamus Hayes and Ned Cash had ridden her. She was not to be sold because all Frank wanted was to have his son win Ireland’s first ever Junior Europeans.

“So, I know what it means to people and I love being part of helping bring that about.”

Kernan used the word “thrilled” when describing the moment last summer when Carlow’s Jason Foley won Ireland’s first individual gold in 42 years since Brian McMahon won in 1976 on Heather Honey.

He went on to recognise the sacrifice made by Ger O’Neill in keeping such a valuable horse as Castlefield Vegas in the country to jump for Ireland. In that same spirit he gave full credit to the families and sponsors that make it all possible. On a personal level, he notes: “I just could not do this without all the help of my partner Linda.”

Experience

Both the joys of winning and the pain of nearly doing so are part of James’ DNA. He recalls a moment in Amsterdam in 1974: “I still didn’t have my driving licence but I was out to win the big speed class there that had a car as first prize. I was 15th of 90 to go on Marcella and held the lead until the very last to go Harvey Smith just pipped me.”

He got some of his own back years later when he pipped Smith in the Millstreet Derby on Touchdown. “But there is nothing like the experience of going abroad where the courses, the atmosphere and the opposition are all different.

This is why after taking over as Chef d’Equipe we brought Junior, Young Rider and Children on Horses teams to places like Opglibbeek, Verden and Fontainebleau, where the championships were eventually to be held. It’s all about gaining confidence,” he says.

Will to win

With nine of the 15 horses selected on the three teams were home bred and the Irish certainly did themselves proud winning four medals at this year’s championships. Individual gold winner Jason Foley joined Kate Derwin, Jack Ryan and Harry Allen to take team bronze.

Ireland’s second individual gold was won by Co Clare’s Rhys Williams in the Children on Horses Championship with Marie and John Burke’s CES Cruson. Rhys then led the side of, Sarah Fitzgerald, Lucy Morton and Ciaran Foley to team silver.

I noted that somebody like me would find it impossible to select candidates for these teams and asked if he found it a difficult task. “Without being big headed I find that I can cope with that. I just have a feel for seeing a horse and rider that will do a job for the team.

We have some who ride with Con Power type feel and instinct and others who grow with training.”

And what of team philosophy?

“On a team you have to be even better than yourself – almost lifting your horse over the fences for your country and your team mates,” he declared with a conviction that will surly resonate with the three sides he selects for next year’s championships.

Plans are well under way for a Horse Sport Ireland breeding conference to be held at the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge on Thursday, 13 December. It will have a top line-up of speakers and full opportunity for attendance participation.

Tickets will be available on line at €25 which includes lunch. Full details will be published in future issues.

Tickets can be booked at www.horsesportireland.ie.