Horses - BRONZE MEDAL FOR IRELAND AT JUNIOR EUROPEAN SHOW JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS - July 2001 - Equiworld

BRONZE MEDAL FOR IRELAND AT JUNIOR EUROPEAN SHOW JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS

IRELAND¹S Michael Kearins won a Bronze Medal today (July 22) at the Junior European Show Jumping Championships in Gijon, Spain, the first time Ireland has taken a medal at Junior European show jumping level since the 1970s.

Michael (18) from Collooney in Co. Sligo, has had a series of victories in Europe this year, culminating in today¹s historic medal win.

He was a member of the Irish team which won the Young Rider Nations Cup at Boursonne, Paris on June 16, riding <Shalom Tip Toe>, and of the team which took Bronze in the Junior/Young Rider Nations Cup at Wierden in the Netherlands a week later.

Michael also won the Junior/Young Riders Grand Prix at Le Touquet, France, on July1, riding <Adventure>, the horse which took him to Bronze Medal position this week at Gijon. The Junior European Individual medals are based on an accumulation of scores during the Gijon Championships.

Ireland has already taken the Team Gold Medal in the Senior European Show Jumping Championships at Arnhem in the Netherlands, which took place in June of 2001.

RESULT: JUNIOR EUROPEAN SHOW JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS, GIJON, SPAIN JULY 22
INDIVIDUAL MEDAL:
1) Sergio Alvarez (Spain) Total 4 faults GOLD
2) Felix Hassmann (Germany) Total 8 faults SILVER
3) Michael Kearins (Ireland) Total 8 Faults BRONZE