Popular Win for Ireland at European Mounted Games Championships
SUNDAY marked day four of the European Mounted Games Championships, held at Tattersalls in Co. Meath, and the finals were run to determine the best teams in Europe based on speed and pin-point accuracy.
The U-17 competition had a nail-biting finish which resulted in a popular win for Ireland. The Irish team were well touted beforehand as possible winners. But they had to fight hard to fend off the persistent challenge from Scotland who were only three points adrift on 124 at the end with England on 120.
There were only seven points separating the first three countries after six competitive sessions of racing. One error in one race can change the outcome dramatically.
The Irish team members were Graham Beirne, Philip Weldon, Andrew Devitt, Peter McCarthy and Niall Hughes who all know each others’ strengths and weaknesses after several successful years of playing together. They were expertly trained by Mark Devitt, himself a former European Individual winner.
This was Ireland’s second European Championship winner after Alan Keoghan’s fine win in the Individual final on Saturday night. Alan was a previous winner of this event.
The U-12 (Mini’s) was won by a quality team from Wales. They had played consistently well in all the qualifying sessions. They were a tightly knit unit that made few mistakes and were worthy winners on 254 points from England on 195 and France on 193.
The U-14 competition was won by England. Two years ago they were the winners of the U-12 MGA European Championship in Northern Ireland. This is a progressive team that were professional with their skill and teamwork. Their final tally was 341 from Wales with 312.5 and Northern Ireland on 275.5
The Open ‘B’ final was won by Norway on 108 from Belgium on 98 whilst the U-17 ‘B’ final was won by Switzerland on 64 from Italy on 60 and Denmark on 58.
The concluding final was the Open (for Senior riders). This was won by England, with France in 2nd and Wales in 3rd.
Teams from 14 countries thrilled and enthralled the crowds all week. It was indeed a memorable first staging of the MGA European Championships in the Republic of Ireland. It was a tribute to the skills and hard work of the organising committee and to it’s sponsors, the Meath Partnership.
The MGA European Championships will be run next Summer in Belgium when new emerging talent and new champions will be unveiled.
Note from Horse Sport Ireland
