Ireland inspired by Duke at Aachen

IRELAND’S eventing team coach Lars Christensson yesterday said the riders at this week’s World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany were aiming for the best result in honour of Sherelle Duke, who died tragically last weekend.

Former world young rider champion Duke, 28, from Portadown, Co Armagh, was killed when her horse Ballystockart landed on her as they competed at Brockenhurst Park in England last Sunday.

Christensson yesterday said it was only natural that the riders were shocked by the tragedy, but they all felt Duke would have wanted them to try their best in a sport she loved.

“Obviously, it came as a shock to us all. We talked about it and I wanted to make sure how the riders felt and they said that the best way to honour her is to try our best. We will try to get the best result as a dedication to Sherelle,” said Christensson.

Christensson’s comments came yesterday after Niall Griffin (Lorgaine) and Michael Ryan (Old Road) achieved solid results in the first day of dressage at the games.

Ryan and the 12-year-old bay gelding produced a personal best of 63.30 penalties to slot into provisional 27th after 40 of the 79 riders in the competition had completed their dressage.

Wexford’s Niall Griffin subsequently scored 57.40 penalties for a provisional placing of 20th, despite the 11-year-old chestnut gelding experiencing trouble with his flying changes.

“Overall, it is a good start,” said Christensson. “Michael did really well, especially as he produced a personal best at WEG. Niall did well also, so I’m pleased.”

Sarah Wardell (Kincluny) and Lieutenant Geoff Curran (Balladeer Alfred) will be among the second batch of riders to undertake their dressage today.

The team suffered a blow on Wednesday, when losing Mark Kyle after his horse Drunken Disorderly failed the vet inspection, but Christensson is confident the four remaining riders are prepared for the challenge of tomorrow’s cross-country phase.

Germany’s Andreas Dibowski, riding FRH Serve Well, heads the leaderboard on 40.90 penalties, with Australian Megan Jones and in silver medal position having scored 44.10 with the Irish-bred Kirby Park Irish Jester. In third was New Zealander Donna Smith and Call Me Clifton on 45.40.