Kearney shows she has what it takes to win a medal
The Wicklow-based Dubliner and the 13-year-old Mister Cool received 72.235% in Grade 1a and a repeat when she lines out tomorrow in day two of the battle for individual glory could see her add to the European individual bronze she won last year.
Irish chef d’equipe Dara Kearney had returned to Ireland yesterday for her son’s wedding, but said the team performance was cause for double celebration, describing Helen’s performance as “the icing on the cake”.
“I’m over the moon. If we get a third on Sunday, we have a medal obviously.
“It is the first time we have ever had a team at the Paralympics and it is a competent, steady start.
“So far, they have achieved what they set out to do, which is great, considering that apart from Eilish Byrne, nobody has Paralympic experience.”
Britain’s Sophie Christiansen and Janeiro 6 posted the highest percentage of the Games so far to win yesterday’s Grade 1a, the combination racking up a personal best of 83.765%, while Singapore’s London-based Laurentia Tan and the Ruben James 2 took second place.
York-based Dubliner Geraldine Savage and Blues Tip Top Too placed 10th in the same grade with 68%, while US-based Waterford rider James Dwyer and Orlando finished fourth of 14 competitors in the Grade IV on 69.719%.
The two-day individual championship, which also counts in deciding the team title, begins today with Eilish Byrne (Youri) the sole Irish competitor.
Meanwhile, in Gijon, Spain, Ireland have been drawn 12th of 13 teams to contest today’s nations cup.
Cork Olympian Billy Twomey will aim to get the team off to a good start with Romanov. He will be followed by Marion Hughes (HHS Heritage Fortuna), Trevor Coyle (Jubilee d’Ouilly) and Conor Swail (Lansdowne).
At Burghley, Sam Watson was best of the Irish in the CCI four-star when 18th after dressage on Horseware Bushman.
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