Irish show jumpers ‘signal start’ of comeback
While the result did not lift Ireland off the bottom of the league, it saw them move to 3.5 points, one behind Belgium. The team finishing last at the season’s end is relegated. The US leads on 21 points.
France, bidding to win the title for the third successive year, showed they are, after all, serious about defending their crown, a fault-free second round from the team giving them victory on six faults. The home side and Germany tied in second place with 16 faults.
Yesterday’s Irish performance came in the wake of last-place finishes in the opening two rounds, prompting chef d’equipe Tom Slattery to say: “Of course we expected to do much better. We had an unlucky day, and were just a point away from the USA in fourth place. But, I believe today may signal the start of our climb back up the league table. Jessica’s horse was magnificent, and so was Billy’s mare.
I believe next time out we can hope for more clear rounds.”
Drawn last of the eight teams, Ireland can thank Jessica Kürten for its best performance this year, the German-based Antrim rider teaming up with her second-string Castle Forbes Maike to jump one of only four double clears. Corkman Robert Splaine scored five in the opening round, adding eight in the second round with Clarion Hotels Coolcorron Cool Diamond. Fellow Corkman Billy Twomey, aboard Anastasia III, had a fence down in each round. Captain Shane Carey failed to replicate his superb form he displayed in last Sunday’s Rome grand prix. Riding Killossery, he finished with two on the ground in round one and, after a repeat in the second round, he retired, as he could better the team’s score.
Meanwhile, British riders yesterday took the top four positions after the first day of dressage in the two-star class in the Dartfield International Horse Trials in Loughrea. Rodney Powell impressed the judges most, scoring 42.8 penalties on Zinzan. He also filled fourth place on Jocko with 50.8 penalties in the Irish Examiner-sponsored event. Compatriot Nigel Taylor, riding Nordic Gent, is just under four penalties off the pace on 44.6, while Mary King, aboard Apache Sauce, lies third on 50.4.
Best of the Irish is Kildare rider Sue Shortt. The Athens Olympian is well in contention going into tomorrow’s cross-country, scoring 51.4 on Karamea Dublin.
The event continues today with further dressage and concludes on Monday with the show jumping.
