Splaine satisfied with sixth place

“SATISFACTORY” is how Ireland show jumping manager Robert Splaine described his team’s sixth place in yesterday’s Meydan FEI Nations Cup opener in La Baule, France.

The Cork man felt the team acquitted themselves well and he focussed on the positives, describing Shane Breen as “special” following his second nations cup double clear in row with Carmena Z.

“I suppose you could describe the performance as satisfactory. It’s mid-division and, while better would have been a bonus, we were not far off the pace and were not outclassed. One less fence down would have put us in equal third place.”

Breen and Carmena Z provided a world-class display with a double clear. A clear from Cameron Hanley (Southwind VDL) also helped the cause, but eight apiece from Niall Talbot (Tequi d’I) and Darragh Kenny (Obelix) left the team in fifth place at the halfway stage.

The effort suffered a blow when an injury to Tequi d’I saw Talbot retire in round two, as Hanley and Kenny added four each for a total of 16 faults.

Splaine promised that “these combinations will be seen again at this level”.

France got their defence of the Meydan Series off to the perfect start, a total of four faults giving them victory over the US on eight. Britain, who were forced to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to stay in the Meydan Series, showed they were worthy of their place in the series when joint third on 12 faults with newly-promoted Spain.

Meanwhile, at the Global Champions Tour show in Hamburg, Germany, Jessica Kürten won an accumulator class with Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois.