Battling Irish effort secures third in Rome
Ireland shared second place on eight faults at the halfway stage, after Hanley had opened with eight on Southwind VDL, followed by four apiece from Darragh Kenny (Obelix) and Cian O’Connor (K Club Lady), and Twomey playing his anchorman’s part well, with a clear on Tinka’s Serenade.
Hanley followed suit second time out, then Kenny added eight, before a clear from O’Connor ensured Ireland remained in contention for the runners-up spot on eight faults with just Twomey to go.
As the Corkman and Tinka’s Serenade entered the arena, Ireland shared second place with Britain and Spain, with France having already sewn up victory in convincing fashion. The Cheshire-based rider produced a textbook round, marred only by four faults at the second fence, to leave Ireland on a total of 12 faults.
However, a clear round from John Whitaker and Peppermill — Britain’s third clear in round two — pushed Ireland down one place, while eight faults for Spain’s last rider, Ricardo Jurado Narvaez (Julia Des Brumes), also saw the Meydan newcomers slip a place to complete on the same total as Ireland.
The French win was their second in a row, having also taken the opener on home soil in La Baule a fortnight ago.
At Tattersalls, Co Meath, Suzanne Jordan is foremost among the 14-strong Irish contingent bidding to give Ireland its third win in a row in the feature HSBC World Cup qualifier.
The Co Down rider and Carneyhaugh Conquistador go into today’s cross-country phase in sixth place, having finished on 53 penalties at the end of Thursday’s dressage.
Britain dominate proceedings, holding the top four places, led by eventing superstar Oliver Townend on 44.8 penalties with the 11-year-old Irish-bred Cruising gelding Ashdale Cruise Master.
His dressage performance gives him a 2.2-penalty lead over compatriot Mary King on the veteran four-star horse Apache Sauce, while Lucy Wiegersma (Granntevka Prince) and British royal Zara Phillips (High Kingdom) are also challenging in third and fourth, respectively, on 48.8 and 49.
