O’Connor crashes out as Irish last in Sweden
The Corkman’s charges were bidding for their fifth win of the season to stretch their lead at the top of the FEI Nations Cup Series and strengthen their promotion bid.
However, elimination for Cian O’Connor and Complete at the treble in round one severely dented Irish hopes and, with Ryan Crumley on Baltimore adding 16 faults, the team finished the half-way stage last of the seven nations and failed to progress to the six-nation second round.
German-based Tipperary rider Denis Lynch and Upsilon D’Ocquier had got the team off to a perfect start with a clear round, while Captain Shane Carey picked up four with River Foyle for a team total of 20.
To compound Irish woes, Denmark placed second in the competition following a jump-off with the US, both teams having completed on 12 faults. It means the Danes have severely cut Ireland’s 16-point lead in the Nations Cup Series.
O’Connor was sanguine following his surprise exit with Complete, a horse he sourced in the US this year and of which he has high hopes.
“He just ran of the treble. He’s super talented, but a bit cheeky. Now, I am going to just concentrate on grands prix for a while with him, as I want solid form before I put him forward for team selection in the future,” he said.
The Meath-based rider has played a significant part in Splaine’s efforts this year and is in the running for a role in Ireland’s bid for Olympic qualification in next month’s European Championships in Germany, where Ireland must finish in the top three of countries not already qualified.
Meanwhile, in the European Pony Championships at Freudenberg, Germany, Ireland’s pony riders picked up the bronze medal.
A clear first round from Jessica Burke on Silogue Darkie had helped put Ireland in the silver position at the half-way stage, with two time faults coming from Richard Howley (Our Foreman) and four for Shane Connell, riding Murphy’s Flight. Emily Turkington provided the discard score of five on Future Interest.
Howley and Turkington added five apiece in round two, with Burke notching up six and Connell eight as Ireland slipped to a total of 22, to allow the Dutch overtake them on 19 faults.
Victory went to Britain on eight.
