Horseware CEO and founder Tom MacGuinness (66) contested his first FEI European Championship in Brussels, as the only Irish competitor in the 160km Endurance Championship. Out of 85 starters of Europe’s best endurance combinations, Tom and his mount Sasha D’Allais finished in 11th place.
Having enjoyed success in eventing, show-jumping and polo, he took up the demanding sport of endurance racing in 2013 aged 60, and from his 25 starts has been well placed in a series of races from 80km – 160km including representing Ireland at The World Equestrian Games in 2014.
Tom said, “This was my first European Championship and was a complete unknown. I am absolutely thrilled with my result on a relatively young horse. The course ran over 12 hours through a beautiful park in the middle of Brussels and it was extremely well organised. The going was quite deep and it rained solid for the last two loops but it was incredibly enjoyable. I am so pleased with Sasha and am really looking forward to representing Ireland in the World Equestrian Games next year.”
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