Continuing an excellent run of results at European level, the Irish U21 (young rider) show jumping team won the silver medal at the 2021 FEI European Championships in Vilamoura, Portugal last Friday (23 July).

Liam Buckley’s team of Kayleigh Soden, Jack Ryan, Sean Monaghan, Harry Allen and Jason Foley finished on a three-round total of 23.56 penalties. Belgium took team gold on 21.35 while the bronze medal went to Britain.

The team got off to a solid start on Thursday, heading into the final on five faults. There they went on to add another eight faults to their team total. Jack Ryan, riding his mother Marguerite’s home-bred Irish Sport Horse BBS McGregor, produced a stunning clear round. Sean Monaghan finished with eight faults aboard Nikki Walker’s Dalvaro, which was discarded. Harry Allen picked up four faults with Ballywalter Bloodstock’s 10-year-old stallion Guinness.

Second last to go in the competition, Jason Foley with Breen Equestrian’s Clyde VA also added four faults to secure the silver medal.

Irish chef d’equipe Liam Buckley said: “The level at these championships has been so high and it was a real fight for everyone to get a place on the podium.

“It was of course a real pity that team manager James Kernan could not travel here due to COVID-19 but he was a huge support all week.”

On Thursday (22 July) the Irish U18 (junior) team of Max Wachman, Caragh Charlton, Francis Derwin and Tom Wachman finished fifth of 20 teams in their team final. Belgium took gold here too, silver went to Switzerland and Britain completed the podium.