Tipperary's Zara McCarthy wins team silver medal at European Championships
McCarthy finished ninth individually as the Irish Junior Eventing team produced an outstanding performance at the FEI Eventing European Championships in Sweden
Tipperary's Zara McCarthy has helped the Irish Junior (U18) Eventing team to a silver medal at the FEI Eventing European Championships in Segersjö, Sweden.
McCarthy, riding Romans Special Envoy (ISH), was part of the Irish team alongside Offaly's Maeve Deverell on Annaharvey Dunowen (ISH), Meath's Carla Williamson on Powers (ISH) and Galway's Katie Gibbons on Milchem Free Spirit (ISH).
Ireland were in third place following a strong performance in the Dressage phase on Friday before moving level with Great Britain in second place after Saturday's Cross Country.
The Irish quartet produced an outstanding Cross Country performance, adding just 0.4 time penalties to move onto a score of 89.6.
The final Show Jumping phase saw Ireland move clear of Britain to secure the team silver medal on a final score of 94.4.
Germany claimed the gold medal with a score of 84.8, while Britain took bronze on 104.0.
There was further success for Ireland as Offaly's Maeve Deverell also claimed the individual bronze medal. McCarthy finished ninth individually, with Carla Williamson in tenth place.
The Irish Young Rider (U21) team, meanwhile, finished eighth in their competition at the championships, with Ben Connors the best-placed Irish competitor individually in seventh.
Irish Horse Board Director General Alison Corbally congratulated the team on their performance.
"This was a brilliant performance from the Irish Junior Eventing team to win the European team silver medal. Congratulations to Carla, Zara, Katie and to Meave who also won individual Bronze on an outstanding achievement. It was also fantastic to see that all four of the medal winning horses were bred in Ireland and congratulations to their breeders."