Ireland secure fifth in Dutch event

IRELAND’S show jumpers did enough yesterday to move from the bottom of the Meydan Series, when fifth in the Dutch nations cup at Rotterdam.

Manager Robert Splaine’s quartet shared the lead at the halfway stage with France, but tumbled down the leaderboard in the second round.

Only Jessica Kürten, riding Quibell, maintained the momentum, being the only rider of the competition to provide a double clear.

Cameron Hanley also jumped clear in the first round with SIEC Livello, but finished with eight next time out, while Captain David O’Brien and Mo Chroí had two-round scores of four and 12 faults. Anchorman Denis Lynch and Nabab’s Son opened with four and finished with eight, when a clear could have provided victory. Splaine said: “It was disappointing to have victory within our grasp right up to the last man.” Ireland finished on a team total of 20 and now have five points in the Meydan Series after the fourth contest of the eight-leg series, a point ahead of last-placed Italy.

France tied with the US on 13 faults and came out on tops in the two-rider jump-off. The US still extend their lead in the series to eight points.

Earlier, Hanley claimed his second win of the show with SIEC Royal Star in a two-phase contest.

At the second tier nations cup show in Drammen, Norway, Capt Shane Carey steered Cashla Bay to Ireland’s second win. Capt Carey on River Foyle and Breen, riding Carmena Z, feature on the team selected by chef d’equipe Paraic Geraghty for today’s nations cup. They team up with David Simpson (Cruise With Me) and Alex Duffy (Tampa). Ireland are drawn first of the seven countries.

Meanwhile, HSI has issued a revised Euro Championships eventing squad:

Declan Cullen (Glenhill Gold), Brian Curran Cournane (Rossbeigh and The Sally Rod), Geoff Curran (Kilkishen and The Jump Jet), Ciaran Glynn (Killossery Kruisita), Louise Lyons (Watership Down), Joseph Murphy (Sportsfield Othello), Austin O’Connor (Pocket Rocket), Sacha Pemble (I’ve been Dun), Elizabeth Power (Kilpatrick River), George Russell (Young Man), Michael Ryan (Old Road), Patricia Ryan (Fernhill Clover Mist), Sarah Wardell (Killeenduff Boy), Sam Watson (Horseware Bushman).