Athlone teenager is a double European champion

Athlone's James Derwin is a double European show jumping champion after winning two gold medals in the FEI European Championships for Ponies (Under-16) in Strzegom, Poland.

From The Derries in Athlone, James hails from a family steeped in equestrian sport.

Derwin claimed individual gold in the FEI Pony Show Jumping European final on Rincoola Babog yesterday (Sunday), edging out Kilkenny’s James Brennan in a jump-off.

Brennan took the silver medal with MHS Glow and Ireland filled all three spots on the podium in the individual final, with the bronze medal going to Coen Williams from Clare with Saxton Freedam. Eoin Brennan made it four Irish riders in the top five, finishing fifth with Glor Tire Cruise.

Speaking afterwards, Ireland team manager Marshall was understandably delighted with the success.

“Our riders have made history here today, to have Irish riders fill all three places on the podium is unbelievable. We had a plan and worked hard on it. This takes incredible dedication and the programmes we have put in place have delivered the results," said Marshall.

"You don’t win medals by accident, the margins are so close these days that if you don’t give 100 per cent you won’t win medals. A huge congratulations to all the riders and their families and of course a big thank you to everyone involved, especially our sponsors who made this such a successful Championships.”

Horse Sport Ireland CEO Denis Duggan said: “This has been a truly remarkable and historic week for Irish equestrian sport. To come away from the European Championships winning five of the seven medals on offer in the Eventing and Show Jumping competitions really is an amazing achievement. This shows that the future is extremely bright for Irish equestrian sport."

Derwin's individual success came hot on the heels of his success with the Irish show jumping team who were crowned European champions last Friday.

The Irish team comprised Kilkenny duo Eoin Brennan (Glor Tire Cruise) and James Brennan (MHS Glow), Sligo’s Paddy Reape with Valma De Fougnard, Clare’s Coen Williams (Saxton Freedam) and Westmeath’s James Derwin with Rincoola Babog.

Managed by Gary Marshall, the Irish team finished on a zero score to take the gold medal ahead of France who took the silver on four faults while Netherlands collected the bronze on 12 faults.

Marshall said: "We are over the moon. We worked hard, had a plan and the team all executed it brilliantly. They are a great bunch of kids and were well prepared. We didn't have the best preparation last year with Covid but this year we were prepared. I want to thank all the support staff at Horse Sport Ireland, all the people on our committee that helped me with everything I needed, our fantastic sponsors and of course the riders and their families."

Horse Sport Ireland CEO Denis Duggan added: "This was an absolutely fantastic performance from our Irish pony team to win the European Championship gold medal against the very best riders around Europe. Huge congratulations to Eoin, James, Paddy, Coen and James and to all their parents and families and to team manager Gary Marshall."

An historic day began on Sunday with a gold medal win for the GAIN Irish Eventing team of Meath’s Josh Williamson (Ardeo Fireman), Kildare’s Ben Connors (Cornafest Fred), Meath’s Matthew Love and Kildare’s Claire O’Ryan.

Managed by Jane Kinsella, Ireland finished on a final score of 104.1, with Germany taking the silver medal, while France claimed bronze.

Kildare’s Ben Connors claimed the individual silver medal, while Meath’s Josh Williamson finished just one place outside the medals in fourth.

Horse Sport Ireland’s athletes in Strzegom are supported by title sponsors GAIN Equine Nutrition and suppliers TRM Equine Nutrition, Dubarry of Ireland, GAIN Equine Nutrition, Berney Bros Saddlery Kilcullen Horseware and Uvex equestrian.