THREE IRISH THROUGH TO INDIVIDUAL EUROPEAN FINAL

After today's (Friday) European Team Championships, in which Ireland finished seventh of 17 nations, three Irish riders have qualified for the European Individual Final on Sunday at Windsor Castle in England.

Sligo-born Darragh Kerins and the Double H Farm-owned 'Night Train' are currently fifth in the overall standings, with Cameron Hanley and Sabanci's 'SIEC Livello' in ninth place. Meath-based Cian O'Connor and Aileen Bryan's gelding 'Rancorrado' are now in 20th position overall.

The top-scoring 25 riders are allowed to compete in the competition for individual medals, based upon their performances in Wednesday's European speed class, together with scores from today's Team Finals.

The European Show Jumping Championships are held every two years. Ireland's performance at Windsor so far compares favourably with the previous two European Championships - at Mannheim in 2007 the Irish team finished in 13th place with Jessica Kurten and 'Castle Forbes Libertina' 20th in the Individual Final, while at San Patrignano in Italy in 2005 the team finished in 12th, with Jessica Kurten again the highest-ranked individual, taking 17th place with 'Castle Forbes Maike'.