Lily Tunney defeated a high quality field of riders at the European Youth Championships in Belgium to claim the CSIOP Grand Prix. The 14 year old and her pony Fireman posted a double clear round and recorded the fastest time in the jump-off to take the top spot and add the title to her Grand Prix triumph in Germany earlier in the year.

Lily headed an Irish domination of the event, with the Ireland team also claiming second and fifth places. “That is the two biggest Grand Prix’s in Europe she has won this year, and you couldn’t ask for any more than that,” admitted her father Gabriel. “It was close. In second place was the Irish lad Kain Dore, who is renowned to be the fastest rider in Europe, but we have pipped him in both Grand Prixs, and he is European team gold medallist and individual bronze. In fourth place was the individual double gold medallist from this year, so she beat the best of them this time.”

In addition to the Grand Prix Ponies title, Lily and Fireman finished second in the individual section of the Nations Cup. She also jumped impressive rounds with Lougherne Caravago to help team Ireland secure their place in the Youth Nations final.

The victory for Fireman has earned him a well deserved winter break ahead of the next season. “There was a World Cup show in Denmark at the weekend but we think we have done enough with our pony, and our aim now is to get geared up for the start of next year,” said Gabriel. “If we can have him in the same form she will be on the European team also, so that is our aim now. We could have gone and done the indoor circuit at the World Cup shows but we think he has done enough now. That is the season wrapped up for him.”

Lily does still have another focus before the end of the year however, with both her and her younger sister Elsie targeting more trophies. Lily leads the Ulster Region 120, the highest division in Ulster, with Elsie topping the standings in both the 90 and one metre categories with one leg of the series remaining.