Double podium for Ian Cassells at Le Lion d’Angers – Ireland’s first medals in a decade

Ian Cassells with RUTLAND FLAMENCO (ISH) . Photo: Pam Cunningham/Irish Eventing Times

It was a landmark day for Irish eventing as Ian Cassells returned home with two podium finishes at the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Eventing Championships for Young Horses in Le Lion d’Angers – Ireland’s first medals at the venue in ten years.

Fresh from winning the senior European Championship team silver, Cassells added another silver and a bronze to an outstanding 2025 season in France this afternoon.

Cassells finished runner-up in the 6-year-old World Championship with the Irish Sport Horse Rutland Flamenco, before going on to secure bronze in the 7-year-old class with Noa W. The last Irish podium at Le Lion came back in 2015, when Sophie Richards claimed bronze.

Ian Cassells with RUTLAND FLAMENCO (ISH) . Photo: Pam Cunningham/Irish Eventing Times

Silver in the 6-year-olds

Lying fourth overnight, Cassells needed a faultless show jumping round to stay in contention—and Rutland Flamenco delivered, completing on their dressage score of 28.9. That left them just 3.3 penalties behind Belgium’s Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Tara Van Het Leliehof.

Ian Cassells with NOA W. Photo: Pam Cunningham/Irish Eventing Times

Bronze in the 7-year-olds

In the 7-year-old championship Ian Cassells and Noa W began the final phase in seventh on 32.8, and added only 0.4 time penalties—keeping the pressure firmly on those ahead of them. As other combinations racked up faults in the showjumping, the pair rose to bronze behind Tom McEwen (British) and Brookfield Danny De Muze, and Belgium’s De Liedekerke-Meier with Helios.