Sligo’s Paddy Reape won gold for Ireland FEI Pony European Championships in Le Mans, France on Sunday.
Reape was faultless throughout the competition on Fernando and held his nerve to jump clear throughout the final day of action to take top spot on the podium.
His Irish team-mate, Limerick’s Kian Dore, finished third on Sparkling Lackamore Joey to secure a bronze medal – cementing Ireland’s position as number one in Europe for pony combinations.
Reape, from Corballa, was the only Irish rider to maintain his faultless record, riding Fernado, and he added yet another clear to his record in the second round of the final to secure gold.
Dore needed to jump off for the podium places but once again he was calm under pressure and came home in third place, adding to his team gold earlier in the competition.
Sweden’s Ellen Hammarstrom was second with Ocean Des As.
Speaking after his win, Reape said: “I’m delighted to win today. The courses were very technical and big. It suited my pony Fernando, he’s got a big jump and he’s scopey so I was happy.
“My goal is for the rest of the year is hopefully go to the Nations Cup final and do well there and I’d also like to come back and do the same next year and the Juniors.”
