Athlone showjumper part of European gold-medal Irish team

Young Athlone rider Francis Derwin was part of the Irish team which took gold in the Under 16 Pony Show Jumping at the 2019 European Championships at Strzegom in Poland on Friday.
The Gain Irish U16 team secured the gold medal following a dramatic jump-off against Britain.
The Irish team of Francis Derwin (Cul Ban Mistress), Niamh McEvoy (Ardfry Skye), John McEntee (Little Smithe) Tom Wachman (Ocean Des As), and Max Wachman (Cuffesgrange Cavalidam (ISH), finished on a three round total of just four faults following a mammoth competition on the final day which lasted for over six hours.
Ireland started the morning in fourth place – carrying forward just the four faults picked up in Thursday’s opening competition. 
Four of the five riders competed in the final and all four jumped clear in the first round of the team final this morning and that moved Ireland into bronze medal position with one round remaining. Ireland finished the second round of the team final again with a zero score, meaning they would finish on just four faults. 
France, who had been in a share of the lead with Britain, picked up 12 faults in the final round to finish level with Germany in equal third, while one fence down for Britain meant they would have to jump-off against Ireland for the gold.
All four members of each team went forward to the deciding jump-offs and the third place decider saw France take the bronze leaving Germany just outside the medal places in fourth. The tension mounted as the gold medal decider produced one of the most exciting jump-offs in recent memory. At the finish, both teams finished on a zero score meaning the combined times would decide the winner. Ireland dramatically claimed the gold when their time was just under two seconds faster than Britain who would take silver.

A delighted Irish team manager Gary Marshall said the incredible Irish team spirit was key to his team’s success: “It’s unbelievable, I’m just so proud of them all. I said to them at the start of the day that we just needed to keep jumping clear rounds. I have to say the team spirit we had here was just incredible, everybody was rooting for each other and you don’t win medals without that. I want to thank everyone involved that made this happen.”
Max Wachman also won gold in the individual section, with Francis Derwin finishing 11th.