Athlone rider named on Irish team for European championships

Athlone’s James Derwin has been selected to represent Ireland at the Pony European Championships, which will take place in France towards the end of July.

An individual gold medal winner in 2022, Derwin will be hoping for more success with the Irish team.

The FEI Pony European Championships will be held in Les Mans, France from July 26-30.

James will be riding Rincoola Babog, a stallion owned by his dad Jim and bred by Harold McGahern.

From Auburn in Athlone, James hails from a family that is very well known in equestrian circles. A son of Jim Derwin and Jennifer McGuire, James is a student at Marist College. He has two sisters, Jessica and Jane, and a younger brother, Jack.

The combinations on the Irish team are as follows: Westmeath’s James Derwin, riding Rincoola Babog; Limerick’s Kian Dore, riding Sparkling Lackamore Joey; Kilkenny’s Emily Moloney, on Lady Crown; Kilkenny’s Abbie Oakey, with Boutade Ste Hermelle; and Sligo’s Paddy Reape, riding Fernando.

The non-travelling reserves are Annie Boland, riding Jimtown, and Senan Reape, on Nora.

Last year, Ireland not only claimed the team gold medal but also gold, silver and bronze individual medals.

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) Pony High Performance Manager Gary Marshall will be bidding for another strong performance this year.

Speaking about the announcement of the team, Marshall said: “This has been another difficult year for picking a team as there was enough athletes to make up two teams capable of going to Europeans. It wasn’t an easy decision, we had to go back to previous classes and form.

“I am confident that I have picked the right team and hopefully doing their country, their parents, their trainers and everyone involved proud. They are all very mentally strong and I am confident that we will bring medals home.”

HSI youth athletes are supported by GAIN Equine Nutrition.