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.