Ireland in seventh place in Germany

IRELAND’S show jumpers are in seventh place as they enter the first nations cup of the European Championships in Mannheim, Germany, today.

In yesterday’s opening speed class, world number four Jessica Kürten steered Castle Forbes Libertina to fifth place. Cian O’Connor — who was, surprisingly, called up on Tuesday by manager Robert Splaine in place of Marie Burke — is 13th with Irish Independent Echo Beach. Cameron Hanley on SIEC Hippica Kerman and Marion Hughes with Heritage Transmission had two fences down apiece and lie in 50th and 57th place, respectively .

Ireland is bidding for Olympic qualification at the championships and must come in the top three of nations not already qualified. After yesterday’s class, the quartet is fourth of the non-qualified nations.

The team is drawn eighth of 18 countries lining up today for the first of the championships’ nations cups. The team title will be decided in tomorrow’s second nations cup, with the individual decider on Sunday.

Germany is living up to its favourites tag and leading the competition.