Kate Derwin from Athlone claimed a gold medal at the European Youth Show Jumping Championships at Zuidwolde in The Netherlands.
Derwin and The Irish Sport Horse AHG Whiterock Cruise Down finished with five clear rounds during the course of the week-long competition, including a double clear round in Sunday's final.
Holding the overnight lead, Derwin was last to jump in the deciding round knowing a fence down or even a time fault would see her drop down the leaderboard. She kept her cool to complete a flawless performance and claim individual gold to add to the team bronze she won when part of James Kernan's GAIN Irish U18 team on Friday.
The individual silver medal went to Spain's Maya De La Joya Fernandez-Longoria, while Belgium’s Thibeau Spits took bronze.
Wexford’s Harry Allen also completed a double clear final round with Dancing Queen Z to finish fifth.
Speaking after her medal success, Katie Derwin said: "It was very close all week. My horse jumped phenomenal last year and this year he came out and gave it even more than he did last year and he really proved to be the best horse. I came here with a plan.
"Last year I finished fourth individually and this year my trainer Denis Flannelly and my father put together a plan. They said last year it was left behind but this year I was going to win a medal and not just any medal but was going to be gold, so the plan was the gold medal.
"There was a lot of pressure on today especially as I didn’t even have a fence in hand – I had to be clear to win the gold medal but the support I have from everybody outside helps me keep chilled."
