CastleMouse
Well-Known Member
Taken from yesterdays Irish Field:
"Sadly the Irish pony eventing team will travel to Germany without the services of the selected combination of Joseph O'Brien and Game Spirit Winkie, following the tragic death of the 10-year-old mare on Wednesday. Owned by Jessica Wilkinson, the home-bred died of a heart attack while undergoing final preparations under the guidance of team trainer Sue Shortt.
"Joseph is one of the most talented riders in the country at the moment and he is a real team player. We hope he will still travel to Germany as a spectator, but that decision will be a difficult one for all concerned and it hasn't been made just yet," Shortt said.
Fellow Tipperary-based rider and neighbour David Hannigan has moved up from the reserve slot to take the place and rides Prince Zola.
Riders have been training regularly since January and did their final preperations at Kidalton Agricultural College, where the worked on the final details.
Was quite shocked to read about Game Spirit Winkies death as a friend of mine used to event on her, and she was an absolutely super pony
The members of the Irish pony eventing team travelling to Freudenberg in Germany on the 19th to 22nd July are -
Leanne Butler (Brookheaven Boy)
Lauren Devine (Jingle O So Good)
Vanessa Meade (Trew Colours)
Niamh Thompson (Lisnamann Full Force)
David Hannigan (Prince Zola)
"Sadly the Irish pony eventing team will travel to Germany without the services of the selected combination of Joseph O'Brien and Game Spirit Winkie, following the tragic death of the 10-year-old mare on Wednesday. Owned by Jessica Wilkinson, the home-bred died of a heart attack while undergoing final preparations under the guidance of team trainer Sue Shortt.
"Joseph is one of the most talented riders in the country at the moment and he is a real team player. We hope he will still travel to Germany as a spectator, but that decision will be a difficult one for all concerned and it hasn't been made just yet," Shortt said.
Fellow Tipperary-based rider and neighbour David Hannigan has moved up from the reserve slot to take the place and rides Prince Zola.
Riders have been training regularly since January and did their final preperations at Kidalton Agricultural College, where the worked on the final details.
Was quite shocked to read about Game Spirit Winkies death as a friend of mine used to event on her, and she was an absolutely super pony
The members of the Irish pony eventing team travelling to Freudenberg in Germany on the 19th to 22nd July are -
Leanne Butler (Brookheaven Boy)
Lauren Devine (Jingle O So Good)
Vanessa Meade (Trew Colours)
Niamh Thompson (Lisnamann Full Force)
David Hannigan (Prince Zola)