ERMELO (KNHS) – Saturday was the day of the individual medals during the FEI European Championships Dressage for Juniors and Young Riders. Dutch rider Lotje Schoots succeeded in winning her 10th golden medal in the youth competitions. The German Fabienne Lütkemeier won silver, followed by the second Dutch rider, Marrigje van Baalen who won bronze.

France scooped the 2009 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ series title in Dublin today when finishing fourth, but Italy stole its share of the limelight when new coach and manager, Markus Fuchs, spurred his side to victory in an extraordinary conclusion to the eight-leg series.

HORSE Sport Ireland, the national governing body  for equestrian sport and breeding today (Thursday) launched an information booklet for horse owners entitled 'A Guide To Horse Welfare and Responsible Horse Ownership' which is produced in association with the World Horse Welfare-sponsored project on equine health and welfare in UCD.

The booklet sets out guidelines for the proper care of horses and outlines the 'Five Freedoms' that horses are entitled to expect.

The excellent performance of the pony team showjumpersat the European Championships (see separate news release) meant that four of the Irish riders were nicely poised in the top ten of the individual rankings going into Monday’s final.

SIXTEEN year-old Joseph O'Brien today (Monday) won a Bronze Individual Eventing Medal at the European Pony Championships in Moorsele, Belgium.

The Tipperary-born rider had the last fence down in the show jumping phase this morning with 'Ice Cool Bailey', but his aggregate score was still good enough to keep him in the medal category.

The Irish team took the European Silver Medal at the Pony Nations' Cup in Moorsele, Belgium this afternoon (Saturday) on a total score of 12 faults.

Clear rounds from Kellie Allen (Ballyowen Maybell Molly), Emma O'Dwyer (Edna) and Michael Duffy (Silogue Darkie) left just the five faults of Emily Turkington (Sambo Lino) as the discard in the first round, putting Ireland in the lead.

The 2009 Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show gets underway on Wednesday August 5^th at the  RDS arena in Ballsbridge. A celebration of Ireland's affinity with the horse the first show was held in 1864 with 366 entries and a total prize fund of £520.

TIPPERARY'S Joseph O'Brien, son of legendary trainer Aidan O'Brien, finished third as an individual in the Dressage Phase of the Pony European Eventing Championships at Moorsele, Belgium this afternoon (Friday).

The 16 year-old, riding 'Ice Cool Bailey', beat the 2008 gold medallist Nina Stegemann into 4th place. The Irish Eventing team currently lies in fifth, on 150.70 penalties, with Belgium in the lead on 139.00.

CHEF d'Equipe Paraic Geraghty this evening (Friday) confirmed the riders and horses who will jump for Ireland tomorrow (Saturday) in the Spanish Nations' Cup at Gijon.

Drawn fifth to jump of ten teams competing, Ireland will line out as:
Dermott Lennon: Hallmark Elite
Jessica Kurten; Castle Forbes La Vie Du Fraigneau
Billy Twomey; Blue Thunder
Conor Swail; Gold Digger

The Nations' Cup, which is not part of the Meydan Series, is expected to start at 2pm Irish time.