‘It is a tough day’ - Ireland’s showjumpers finish seventh in team final

Maurice leaps a gate with Ireland's Cian O'Connor on board during the Jumping Team Final

Hopes of a podium place were dashed in the final round as Ireland’s showjumpers came seventh in Friday's team final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Shane Sweetnam, Daniel Coyle and Cian O'Connor finished with 14 combined penalties. Before the last jumper they were in fourth, but two fences down pushed them out of contention.

At Chateau de Versailles, the best ten teams from Thursday’s qualifier partook in the team final. A 30-strong field was due to compete against the clock over one round, although injury to a Mexican horse and the withdrawal of the Israel team after the opening two jumps reduced the competition.

The British trio of Ben Maher, Harry Charles and Scott Brash won gold for the first time since London 2012 with an outstanding performance. The United States took silver and a well-supported France clinched bronze.

It was a dramatic conclusion with the Netherlands in fourth as France were .57 of a second faster across the three riders.

Sweetnam was first to jump for Ireland aboard James Kann Cruz with one fence down and a time fault. A terrific clear round from Coyle followed with the mare Legacy.

O’Connor, who won a bronze medal in the individual event 12 years ago and was competing at his fourth Olympics, went last on Maurice. They clipped two fences and completed outside the 79-second limit.

Shane Sweetnam of Team Ireland riding James Kann Cruz during the jumping team final

“It is a tough day,” O’Connor said afterwards.

“Listen, we jump at shows week in and week out. It is our job. Normally we pull off clear rounds and unfortunately, it didn't go our way today. The Olympics is where we want to achieve. All the riders and horses have worked very hard, a lot of good results to come.

“It is tough, a tough competition. A big atmosphere there. We are dealing with horses; we are dealing with live animals. Once they come out happy, well and sound, that is a good day.” The fence design was infused with an array of distinctive colours and designs. One represented the Eiffel Tower, the triple combination where O’Connor and Maurice first faulted was an ode to French cinema.

“The fence material is very unique,” he said. “Every Olympic Games they make the fences specific to the country. A lot of different themed fences the horses haven't seen before. My horse was a little more alert than usual. It is a shame; he has been jumping fantastic all year. He just touched those two fences today.” Attention now turns to the individual jumping next week. It remains to be seen if the same trio will compete in the qualifier. The final is scheduled for Tuesday.

“We will all discuss it. We will talk to our owners, Michael (Blake) the Chef d'Equipe. All the lads will give their thoughts. Darragh (Kenny) is in the wings if needed. Two days off is good for the horses because they have a chance to relax a little bit and recover. Then we can get out heads in the zone.”