Francis Derwin: Young Sportsperson of the Year finalist

Rising show jumping star Francis Derwin has enjoyed a very successful 2024 so far, combining individual success at the Dublin Horse Show with a gold medal in the European Championships with the Ireland U-21 team.

Last month, the young Athlone man was victorious in a five-star international speed class at the famed Dublin Horse Show. Derwin overcame the challenges of Daniel Coyle (a man who jumped three clear rounds at the Olympic Games in Paris) and Niamh McEvoy (who has also enjoyed European Championship success).

A European Championship U21 team gold and individual silver medallist, Derwin and Parvati AEG spearheaded an Irish 1-2-3 in the main arena at the RDS.

Derwin has enjoyed a lot of success with Parvati AEG this year, but they took it to another level by seeing off a strong global challenge of 43 combinations in the test against the clock.

Although almost half of the field went clear, none were as rapid as Derwin and his nine-year-old chestnut mare, who registered a time of 52.51 seconds after being fourth into the ring.

That was almost a second clear of Tyrone pilot Niamh McEvoy, while Derry’s Daniel Coyle was another second back on Lena VDL to complete a podium of Irish competitors.

Derwin’s success at the Dublin Horse Show followed on from helping the Ireland Under-21 show jumping team to win gold in the FEI European Championships in July of this year.

Derwin was part of the team alongside Niamh McEvoy, Tom Wachman, Max Wachman and Rhys Williams which emerged victorious at the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre in the Netherlands.

Ireland won with a rider to spare after Derwin’s clear round meant they couldn’t be caught by their pursuers. Derwin and his gelding Flexi K delivered a clear round to secure the title in style as Ireland retained their European title at this age group.

The Derwin family from Athlone has enjoyed considerable success in equestrian sport, with Kate Derwin (a sister of Francis) winning an individual gold medal in the U-18 competition at the European Youth Championships.

Their cousin James became a double European show jumping champion when aged just 13 in 2022, winning gold medals at U16 level in the individual and team events at the FEI European Championships in Poland.

The other Young Sportsperson of the Year Award finalists are Rian Claffey and Hazel Donegan.

The Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards 2024 takes place at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel today (Thursday).

The Outstanding Achievement category at the Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards 2024 is sponsored by the Shamrock Lodge.