Splaine far from defeatist despite Ireland’s poor showing

Ireland show jumping team manager Robert Splaine was far from defeatist after his team’s disappointing performance in yesterday’s Furusiyya Nations Cup at the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

The competition was won by a US team that rocked, as Bruce Springsteen’s daughter Jessica produced one of only four double clears in the competition. Ireland, however, were out of tune, placing joint second last in the eight-country showdown, a result that saw them fail to qualify for the €2m Furusiyya Series final, while their place in Division 1 is hanging on a thread after finishing the season one from the bottom on the leaderboard.

“Everybody is deflated, but such is life,” said Splaine afterwards. “If we are guilty of anything it is of over-trying, in that we came believing we could win.