Team Ireland:
CCI 2* (7YOs):
Cathal Daniels & Rioghan Rua Photo: Louise O’Brien Pix
Maria Byrne with BGS Juicyfruit (ISH); Niall Griffin with Monarts Garrison Guy (ISH); Cathal Daniels with Rioghan Rua (ISH); Aoife Clark with Wasting Light (ISH); Nicola Ennis with Westwinds Jack Of Hearts (ISH)
CCI 1* (6YOs):
Heidi Hamilton with Dam Easy (ISH); Capt. Terence White with Garrybritt Tinkerbell (ISH); Aidan Keogh with Pride Of Tredstep (ISH).
There was a very solid Irish presence at Le Lion D’Angers this year. Not only did Ireland field a very strong team in both the 6 year old and 7 year old sections, a large number of the competitor horses were listed as Irish Sport Horse’s. Countries including Great Britain, USA, New Zealand, Sweden and Italy flew the flag for Irish Bred horses.
All the Irish competitors completed their dressage with ease but soon after Aoife Clark’s Wasting Light (ISH) had to be withdrawn before the XC as he was suffering from travel sickness.
Aoife Clarke with Wasting Light (ISH) Photo: Louise O’Brien Pix
Saturday saw approx. 30,000 spectators in blistering sunshine come to watch the main spectacle. In the 6 year old category, Heidi Hamilton riding Dam Easy went first and was clear XC with some small time penalties. Capt. Terence White riding Garrybritt Tinkerbell was soon out on the course, sadly the mare lost her footing on a bend which sadly saw them eliminated. Aidan Keogh on Pride of Tredstep was the final Irish rider in the 6 year old category, both returned home clear with minimal time penalties. All 3 of these horses were bred in Co. Wexford.
The 7 year olds got under way straight after lunch. Cathal Daniels riding Rioghan Rua, Maria Byrne riding BGS Juicy Fruit and Nicola Ennis riding Westwinds Jack of Hearts all completed the course with small time faults. Sadly Niall Griffin’s Monarts Garrison Guy ran out of steam during the course and Niall made the decision to retire.
Aidan Keogh & Pride of Tredstep (ISH) Photo: Louise O’Brien Pix
Sunday brought crowds to the arena for the showjumping, there was not an empty seat to be found all day. Aidan Keogh and Pride of Tredstep were clear, Heidi Hamilton and Dam Easy had an unlucky 1 down and small time faults. After lunch the 7 year olds got their turn. Both Maria Byrne on BGS Juicy Fruit and Cathal Daniels on Rioghan Rua were clear within the time and Nicola Ennis and Westwinds Jack of Hearts were out of luck on the day incurring several faults.
