Carlow’s Sam Watson and Galway’s Cathal Daniels have recorded two of the most impressive results for Irish Eventing in recent years.
Watson finished the weekend sixth with Daniels claiming seventh place at the prestigious Luhmühlen CCI4* Horse Trials in Germany.
Watson and Daniels were among just six riders who managed to finish clear inside the time during Saturday’s demanding Cross Country phase at the German venue, moving them both inside the top 10.
Watson riding Horseware Ardagh Highlight (ISH) and Daniels with Rioghan Rua (ISH), both finished with two fences down apiece in this morning’s (Sunday) final Show Jumping phase. This left both Irish riders on a final score of 41.0 with Watson taking sixth place after finishing closer to the Cross country optimum time, just ahead of Daniels in seventh.
Luhmühlen is one of just six events held around the globe each year at four-star level – the highest level of competition in the sport of Eventing.
“We are thrilled with the result. It was a very tough competition and you don’t get a higher standard than CCI4*. We were aiming to get our riders fast Cross Country and to have two of them inside the time yesterday was fantastic. Our riders are really upping their game, to finish sixth and seventh is fantastic”, says Irish Eventing team manager Sally Corscadden.
“Trish Ryan also had a brilliant performance to finish 12th and it shows we are adding more depth to our squad. We feel we are becoming much more competitive and this gives us great confidence heading to the World Equestrian Games this year and for next years European Championships here in Germany.”
