Irish Team Named for Pratoni World Championships

Padraig McCarthy and Fallulah. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

After keeping us all in suspense for a hot minute or two, Ireland has named its line-up for next month’s World Championships at Pratoni, though hasn’t yet confirmed which of the five combinations will be on the team and which will ride as an individual. The selected horses and riders are as follows:

  • Susie Berry and Monbeg by Design – Ten-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Pacino x Eskerhills Lexis, by Puissance). Owned by Helen Caton, groomed by Crisy Salmon.
  • Padraig McCarthy and Fallulah – Thirteen-year-old Westfalian mare (Fidertanz 2 x Devona, by Di Versace). Owned by Amanda and Nicholas Boyle, Di Brunsden, Peter Cattel and the rider, and groomed by Jess Elliott.
  • Joseph Murphy and Calmaro – Eleven-year-old Brandenburg gelding (Carpalano x unknown dam). Owned by Claire and Charlie Mayne, Annette O’Callaghan, and the rider, and groomed by Ryan Hopper.
  • Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue – Thirteen-year-old British-bred Sport Horse gelding (Jaguar Mail x Rock Me Baby, by Rock King). Owned by the Salty Syndicate and the rider, and groomed by Francesca Denning.
  • Sam Watson and SAP Talisman – Eleven-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Puissance x Ali Row, by All Royal). Owned by Hannah and Julia Watson, and groomed by Hannah Watson.

“I am delighted with the squad that are travelling to the World Eventing Championships,” says Dag Albert, High Performance Director for Eventing and former Swedish team rider. “I have chosen a squad that has a huge amount of experience between them and I believe we can get a great result in Pratoni. Our ultimate goal is to get Olympic qualification for Paris 2024 and I believe this is really achievable. I am really looking forward to the team going out there and performing and I would like to give a huge thank you to our owners, for their ongoing support to Team Ireland and giving us the opportunity to compete for medals at such a high level. Also, a special mention to the grooms and all of the people who work so hard in the background – we wouldn’t have a team without them.”

There are also two non-travelling reserves for the team. These are:

  • Felicity Ward with Regal Bounty – Eleven-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Orestus VDL x Edge of Reason, by Senang Hati). Owned by James O’Callaghan.
  • Michael Ryan with Barnahown Corn Hill – Eleven-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Chinook Eclipse x Mats Lady, breeding unknown). Owned by Carol and Tom Henry.

Final entries and team/individual designations are due to the FEI on September 5. Want to see more from #Pratoni2022? Click on over to our Ultimate Guide to FEI World Championships for more!