Fitzpatrick makes smooth start to defence of title

Susan Fitzpatrick and Rock Dee Jay were on song at the European Pony Championships in Cork yesterday with a smooth start to the defence of her title, as Ireland grabbed a share of the lead in the team contest.

The Kilkenny rider and the gelding take a “laid-back” approach, and she proved this when producing a facile clear, one of just 14 from 52 starters in the first individual qualifier, leaving her 9th place overnight.

A brilliant Irish performance saw two more of those clears coming from Michael Pender (Doon Laddie), his time putting him second overall, and Grace McHugh (Cassandra Van Het Roelhof), to finish the day in 13th, with Sean Monaghan (Attyrory Rebel) providing the 12-fault discard.

France matched the Irish in terms of clear rounds to share pole position, as Germany and Britain accrued four faults apiece going into today’s nations cup team decider.

Ireland manager Tom Slattery was very satisfied, but cautioned against being overly-optimistic.

“I’m very happy and very confident. It was a very good test. The course builder did a super job. It was a little bit bigger than normal. This is the first year this round counts for the team total. Normally, it is a one-round speed, and it suited us today. We have consistent ponies. It’s far from over, though. We need another two good rounds tomorrow, so we are not getting excited or carried away.”

Earlier, Fitzpatrick said she was confident the experience gained in winning gold last year would prove beneficial.

“Last year was a great experience and it brought me on loads. That’s going to be a big help to me here, as I know what’s ahead of me and what I need to do,” said the 15-year-old, before demonstrating this before an appreciative crowd.

Rock Dee Jay is owned by Barbara and Charlie Hyland-O’Reilly, whose son Max won double team silver with the pony.

“We got the pony late this year and did not get to go to the nations cup in Hagen, Germany,” said Fitzpatrick, “but preparations have been really good, with plenty of training days with manager Tom Slattery and Denis Flannelly.

“Dee Jay’s been huge for my career and I owe the owners Barbara and Charlie so much. He is so easy going and so nice to ride on the flat. He’s knowledgeable and he’s a pet in the stable. In many ways, he’s like me, relaxed and laid back,” said Fitzpatrick, who believes the Irish support will play a big part.

“To win on home soil would be huge, particularly as I will be surrounded by friends and family and many more supporters. It will be a huge benefit to me.”

Manager Slattery says Ireland has the ability to win gold, but he said there are at least four rivals that can legitimately make similar claims.

“I think we are good enough to win, both with ponies and riders. Some of our ponies might lack a little bit of experience at this level. It would be helpful if they had more championship experience, but they are good enough and I’m very hopeful.

“The Germans, French, Dutch and Great Britain are the strong teams. It will go down to the wire, but the majority of the Irish kids have jumped at Millstreet previously, which will stand to them. A lot also centres on keeping the kids focussed and relaxed.”

It’s Slattery’s fourth year in the job and he has brought his own experience to bear in leading Ireland to success at the Europeans, though, he prefers to play down his role.

“I’ve been show jumping all my life, so I understand what the kids are going through. It’s a very high level and intense. We are very fortunate that we have a lot of very good riders. My role is very small, actually; the parents put a lot of effort into the set-up and many of the kids have their own personal trainers. It’s a team effort.”

Dressage got the eventing competition underway yesterday, with Ireland lying fifth overnight after Jessica Kuehnle (Fernhill Ruby) and Sophie Buller (G Maha) completed their tests. Lucy Hancock (Newtown Westie) and Fionn Clarke (Black Velvet Band) will today aim to better Ireland’s position ahead of tomorrow’s cross-country. Germany are the early leaders.

The battle for team dressage honours concluded yesterday, with Germany taking gold, ahead of Britain and the Netherlands.

With Ireland the only country fielding just three riders — Alana Cazabon Sullivan (Schermeer S Hof Arendsoog), Katie Burns (Caracas II) and Linea Larkin (Goofy) — it was always going to be an uphill battle without a discard score. While they placed 11th of the 11 teams, manager Anne Marie Dunphy said she was proud of the performance from a team competing in what is a minority sport in Ireland.

“We came to the championships knowing that we were very much the underdogs. In saying that, I think the girls gave a good account of themselves and have been inspired by the level of training and riding they’ve seen this week,” said Dunphy.

German rider Semmieke Rothenberger became the fourth member of her family to win gold with the pony Deinhard B.

- Darragh Kenny’s run of good form has seen him selected as pathfinder for Ireland in today’s crucial Furusiyya Series nations cup contest in Hickstead, England.

He will ride Imothep and will be followed by Hickstead-based Shane Breen (Golden Hawk), teenager Bertram Allen (Molly Malone) and Cameron Hanley (Antello Z).

Ireland are propping up the league table and desperately need a good result, though manager Robert Splaine can also count on earning points at next week’s Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show. Ireland were drawn sixth of eight teams.

- Ireland is to field a para equestrian dressage team at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

The team is: Breda Bernie (Master Mexico); James Dwyer (Orlando); Helen Kearney (Mister Cool); and Kate Kerr-Horan (Arlande).