Crumley the Irish hero in Copenhagen

SHOW JUMPER Ryan Crumley proved the jump-off hero that ensured Ireland victory in the Danish Nations Cup yesterday.

After Belgium and Ireland tied on 12 faults, Crumley, riding Baltimore, was nominated by chef d’equipe Robert Splaine to be the Irish knight in a showdown with Niels Bruynseels.

The 23-year-old Derry rider proved more than a match after the Belgian had completed his round.

“My horse is very fast and Robert told me how to handle the jump-off and we finished just over two seconds ahead of Bruynseels,” he said. “I'm delighted with Baltimore. He did the job perfectly - three copybook clear rounds.”

Contributing greatly to the Irish cause was Mayo’s Cameron Hanley, who posted a double clear on Hippica Kerman. Army rider Captain Gerry Flynn had two fences down in the first round with Mo Chroí, improving to four faults in the second round.

John Hickey, aboard Artiq, finished with 20 faults in the first round and did not appear in round two of a competition that saw eight teams line out.