O'Brien takes bronze medal in eventing

Sixteen-year-old Joseph O'Brien today won a bronze individual eventing medal at the European Pony Championships in Moorsele, Belgium.

The Tipperary-born rider had the last fence down in the show-jumping phase this morning with Ice Cool Bailey, but his aggregate score was still good enough to keep him in the medal category.

O'Brien, the son of leading trainer Aidan O'Brien, finished on 47.30 penalties, with Germany's Jule Wewer taking Gold on 41.70 and Belgium's Pieter Kenis winning Silver with 45.70.

Afterwards Horse Sport Ireland pony eventing High Performance Coach Sue Shortt said that Joseph had put up an amazing performance over the three days.

"Joseph is a superb talent and he rode brilliantly throughout and really deserves this medal," she said. "I also want to thank Dressage coach Sue Smallman and HSI's pony show jumping coach Ian Fearon who was working with the eventers this year."

Yesterday, Ireland's pony show jumpers Kellie Allen, Emma O'Dwyer, Emily Turkington and Michael Duffy took the Silver Medal in the European Team competition, with Denmark winning Gold.