Upbeat Elliot looks to future

Ireland’s eventers realised expectations yesterday when fifth in the Olympics, led by Aoife Clark and Master Crusoe, whose double clear in the show jumping phase elevated her to seventh place in the individual classification.

In a dramatic conclusion that saw the destination of the gold medal decided by the last fence, Germany’s Michael Jung, riding the gelding Sam, became the first man to hold Olympic, World and European titles simultaneously, while also helping his team to gold.

It was a remarkable fightback for Ireland and manager Ginny Elliot felt a future medal is achievable.

“Absolutely, the result is worthy of celebration. Everyone is so happy. It is the best Olympics Ireland has ever had, when you count in the individual results. I am so delighted,” said Elliot, herself a four-time Olympic medallist.

“It is a real boost for Ireland and for me it is important, as Horse Sport Ireland, the Olympic Council of Ireland, the owners and so many others have given us such support and I feel the riders have delivered.

“All five went out to be competitive and all five were competitive. They were there to do a job and I am very proud of them. Of course, you always dream and they had half a chance of winning a medal. If they can keep as hard working and dedicated as they have been, I am convinced they will win a medal in the future.”

Ireland’s hopes of glory ended in Monday’s cross-country, when Michael Ryan (Ballylynch Adventure) and Camilla Speirs (Portersize Just A Jiff) were eliminated. However, jumping clears from Kildare’s Clark and Mullingar native Joseph Murphy (Electric Cruise) and Mark Kyle (Coolio) ensured the trio lived to fight another day, their gritty performance pushing them up to eighth place overnight.

Yesterday morning’s team show jumping decider saw further improvement, with Kyle and his 10-year-old gelding opening on six faults, before text-book clears from Murphy and Clark saw them jump ahead of favourites Australia and the United States on a team total of 184.80pens.

Germany, meanwhile, proved themselves worthy gold medallists, with Britain holding off New Zealand to take silver.

Ireland’s performance was good enough to advance the three riders to the afternoon individual-medal decider and five faults left Kyle in 21st place at the close of play, while another flawless display from Murphy and the Cruising-sired gelding Electric Cruise put him a creditable 14th.

Oxfordshire-based Clark, who has a 1st class degree in maths and classics from UCD, followed suit with her second clear of the day and actually held the bronze position with four riders to go, but eventually had to settle for seventh.

The tussle for individual gold was as close as could be imagined and, when penultimate rider Jung produced a clear there was no margin for error on the part of Sweden’s Sara Algotsson Ostholt aboard Wega. Bidding to be the first woman gold medallist in eventing, she was a fair bet based on her morning performance. Any wager looked safe until, in an amazing twist, Wega dislodged the final fence, to present the perfect birthday gift to Jung, who had turned 30.

Meanwhile, Speirs and her tiny horse with the big heart Portersize Just A Jiff were yesterday said to be fine following a crashing fall in Monday’s cross-country.

Ireland’s equestrian involvement continues tomorrow, with Anna Merveldt our sole representative in dressage.