Equestrian news: Ireland's young riders missed out on team bronze by a single time fault at the European Young Rider Show Jumping Championships in Le Touquet, France, yesterday.

Sixth of the 13 teams at the halfway stage on 11 faults, the Irish quartet of Michael Kearins, Louise Walsh, Andrew Bourns and Carl Hanley rallied strongly in the second round to come within an ace of the medal podium, but were just pinned back in fourth at the finish on 19.

Gold went to the Germans, who finished on an incredible tally of just one time fault after the two rounds. The Dutch were well adrift on 16 faults but still held on to claim the silver ahead of Norway on 18.

EUROPEAN YOUNG RIDERS SHOW JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS (in France): 1, Germany, 1 fault; 2, Holland, 16; 3, Norway, 18; 4, Ireland (Michael Kearins, Polanski - 1/4; Louise Walsh, Impact - 9/0; Andrew Bourns, Accordiano - 14/18; Carl Hanley, Ally McBeal - 1/4), 19.