Silver lining for Irish Equestrian Team

 

Irish Team celebrate silver successes at WUEC 2016
Irish Team celebrate silver successes at WUEC 2016

Tori Dixon (Ulster University), Ian Cassells (University College Dublin) and Kelley Hutchinson (Maynooth University) were selected to compete at this dual discipline event (dressage and show jumping) for their country. Former student riders Kim McGrane and Gerald Bloomer were team Chef D’Equipe and coach respectively.The riders competed as individuals and as a team on unfamiliar horses in a knock out style competition against the world’s best student riders from 17 countries. Ian Cassell’s made it to the final of the Dressage event and won a silver medal for his performances. In the individual combined event Kelley Hutchinson claimed a silver medal. Tori Dixon qualified for the final of the individual show jumping event but had a pole down in the final and finished up in a creditable 6th position. With these three fantastic results combined Team Ireland collected the silver medal finishing under one point behind gold medal winners and home nation Sweden.

Irish Equestrian Team pictured at the opening ceremony at WUEC 2016 in Flyinge, Sweden.
Irish Equestrian Team pictured at the opening ceremony at WUEC 2016 in Flyinge, Sweden.

“It was always an incentive to get to university in Ireland and to one day become part of a team that travels all around the world, WUEC here at Flyinge has been great, its a beautiful venue and really well run competition” Tori Dixon (Ulster University)

“I was delighted to be picked for the squad and it is an honour to represent my country and college (UCD) at the World Championships, Competing at the university level internationally has opened new doors for me” Ian Cassells (University College Dublin)

“I loved being on the Irish squad as we get to meet and become friends with people from all over the world with similar interests, I was really excited to be selected for WUEC 2016” Kelley Hutchinson (Maynooth University)

“The Irish Team showed great horsemanship only kind words from horse owners” Kajsa Stoll Kuriozik, President of Lund Student Riders, Sweden.

“I really enjoyed the week the guys were great to work with and made my job easier, so happy with the result, Team Ireland did us proud” Kim McGrane, Team Chef D’Equipe at WUEC 2016.

“The team did really well, very consistent through the rounds, I was delighted to be part of the competition again” Gerald Bloomer, Current coach at WUEC and former Irish Team rider at WUEC 2014.

Kelley Hutchinson pictured competing in dressage element of World University Equestrian Championships 2016.
Kelley Hutchinson pictured competing in dressage element of World University Equestrian Championships 2016.