This year’s BYRDS Under 25s Home International was hosted by the North West region of British Dressage at the International Arena, Myerscough College, Lancashire.

On the weekend of 25^th – 26^th July two teams went from Ireland to compete in the searing temperatures of 30 degrees. The team members came from as far south as Cork to Donegal in the north and their ages ranged from 13 to 21.

Ireland Blue:

Megan McGrath (13) - pony rider – Mr. Ferryman

Tansy Greenlee (17) - junior rider – Jack Sparrow

Claire Sedgeman (21) - young rider – Questhill Fantasy

Ireland Green:

Natasha Wylie (13) - junior rider – A Real Dragon

Lyndsey Pritchard (19) - young rider - Kemella Clover King

Laura-Jayne Kyle (20) – young rider – Graflo

All the riders were competing at a level higher than they would normally compete at home and for all it was their first time representing Ireland and first trip away from home soil.

When they arrived on Thursday no one had met before, by bedtime you could have been forgiven for thinking they had been together for years!

During the two days of competition both riders and supporters alike got behind each team member and supported them.  No one was left in any doubt that yet another test had been successfully completed by an Irish rider.

The two teams finished Green – 17^th and Blue – 18^th an excellent result, given the level of competition and the number of teams competing from each of the other countries.

There were individual successes all round –

Megan on Mr. Ferryman were 7^th in a very competitive Individual Novice Pony Championship

Natasha on A Real Dragon were highest placed Irish pair with a 5^th in the Individual Novice Junior Championship.

Tansy Greenlee on Jack Sparrow gave Natasha a run for her place and finished 6^th in Individual Novice Junior Championship.

Claire Sedgeman on Questhill Fantasy and Lyndsey Pritchard on Kemella Clover King had several matching scores over the weekend and took 6^th and 7^th respectively in the Individual Novice Young Rider Championship.

Laura-Jayne Kyle made a huge effort and rode elementary, she on Graflo finished 6^th in Individual Elementary Young Rider Championship.

The young riders were exceptional ambassadors for their country and for their discipline, their spirit of competition were outstanding.

Pictures from Myerscough are on the Photo Gallery page of the website.