Irish equestrians finish eighth

Ireland’s team of Patricia Ryan, Niall Griffin, Geoffrey Curran, Louise Lyons and Austin O’Connor finished eighth with 276.10 points after the showjumping phase of the equestrian competition in Hong Kong today.

Germany won the gold medal after finishing the three-day event in first with 166.10 penalty points with Australia (171.20) second and Great Britain third (185.70).

O’ Connor, on Hobby Du Mee, was the only member of the team to complete the jumping phase with a clear round.

“It was brilliant,” he said. “It is just the way you want to finish.

“It has been a great competition and the atmosphere in this arena is electric.”

Capt Geoff Curran and the Minister for Defence's 'Kilkishen' returned just two time faults, while Louise Lyons and 'Watership Down' had two fences down and a single time fault.

Patricia Ryan from Bandon in Co. Cork with 'Fernhill Clover Mist' ran up 13 faults in total during show jumping, and she and Wexford's Niall Griffin on 'Lorgaine', who had 12 faults this afternoon, were Ireland's discard scores.

HSI High Performance Coach Ginny Elliott said afterwards: "This was a very solid accomplishment from our five riders and horses, who have all finished in the Olympic top 45. I am very proud of all of their performances, particularly in jumping and cross country, and the fact that we added just 11 penalties in the show jumping phase here today tells its own story.

"I believe we need more work in dressage but we now have something really worthwhile to build on. I am treating this as the beginning, not the end, and I will be announcing Ireland's 2009 squad for the European Eventing Championships next month. The preparations for those championships start now."

Ginny Elliott, who took up her role with the team in March this year, also paid tribute to team vet Marcus Swail and the Irish grooms.

She said: "To get five horses all the way from Ireland to Hong Kong, and then to get them to the finish through a gruelling four days of competition here is a fantastic accomplishment. We could not have done it without them. We also owe a debt to Michael Quirke, who helped us so much with the show jumping."

The Olympic Team Championship was won by Germany on 166.10 penalties, with favourites Australia having to settle for runner-up spot on a score of 171.20.

The German pair of Hinrich Romeike and Ingrid Klimke are well placed for medal success in the individual jumping final as they occupy first and second place respectively.

Australia’s Megan Jones is third while American Gina Miles is fourth.

The top 25 riders during the team jumping qualify for the individual final.

HONG KONG OLYMPIC THREE-DAY EVENTING FINAL RESULT Tuesday, August 12, 2008:

1) GERMANY 166.10 penalties

2) AUSTRALIA 171.20 penalties

3) GREAT BRITAIN 185.70 penalties

8) IRELAND 276.10 penalties

Patricia Ryan; Fernhill Clover Mist 126.50 (Discard) Niall Griffin; Lorgaine 109.00 (Discard) Capt. Geoff Curran; Kilkishen 94.10 Austin O'Connor; Hobby du Mee 87.20 Louise Lyons; Watership Down 94.80