The GAIN Equine Nutrition Irish Pony Dressage team recorded Ireland's highest ever scores at a European Championships, when they finished inside the top 10 this week at Strzegom in Poland.
The impressive Irish results saw Carlow's Rachel Carr finished best of the Irish individually in 35th on a score of 69.324% with Calelvador May Blossom - a pony who previously Evented at Pony Club level.
Netherland's-based Louise Hooijen, whose mum Siobhan is from Tipperary, finished in 37th with a score of 69.189, while, Cillian Curran from Letterfrack, Connemara finished 43rd on 68.135. Oscar O Connor from Wexford, who was the youngest member of the team at just 13, finished 45th on 68.054.
HSI Pony Dressage High Performance manager, Anne Marie Dunphy commented: "I am very happy with the performances of the team here in Strzegom. While an upward trend in Irish pony dressage was already evident. All of the riders achieving international personal best scores at these championships is great achievement showing their ability to perform on demand, under pressure and will do much to inspire up and coming youth athletes at home."
