Tait double as Griffin’s third a boost for Irish
New Zealander Tait opened his account in the CCI three-star yesterday. Having led from the start with 16-year-old Ready Teddy, he jumped clear in the show jumping phase to finish ahead of Briton Polly Stockton (Tom Quigley) and compatriot Chris King (Peaceful Warrior).
In the Olympic-format event, he brought the grey gelding Eze back to the scene of his 2000 two-star triumph to snatch victory in the dying moments from long-time leader Andrew Hoy and Moonfleet. The status quo had been maintained in the first round of show jumping, both lowering one pole, after each had jumped clear in Saturday's cross-country. But, after Tait turned the screw with a second-round show jumping clear, Australian Hoy supplemented his score with another eight penalties to let victory slip away.
Tait, who plans to bring the curtain down on his stunning career at the end of this year, said Olympic qualification was his target at Punchestown with Ready Teddy and, having achieved that, "the win was a bonus."
Rosslare rider Griffin was "thrilled" with his third on Lorgaine, adding four faults in each round of yesterday's show jumping to rise from sixth place after Saturday's cross-country, in which he finished faultless.
"This horse was due a good result," said the 26-year-old. "He would light a fire under me. He keeps me going, especially when times are bad," said Griffin, who completed on a score of 65.20, just 1.20 better than Armagh's Sasha Harrison (Look Sharp).
He felt the performance was good enough to see his name appear on the Olympic team list a squad of five and two reserves when the selectors make their announcement in the next two weeks.
The team event was won by Australia on a score of 178.20, with the Ireland 1 Griffin (Lorgaine), Sasha Harrison (Look Sharp), Trevor Smith (Dunrath Hill), Edmond Gibney (King's Highway), Jonty Evans (Cregwarrior) placing second on 205.
Meanwhile, Ireland's recent poor form in the Samsung Super Nations Cup League continued yesterday, with the team finishing equal seventh of nine teams in Lucerne, Switzerland. On an individual note, Marion Hughes and Heritage Fortunas performed well, jumping clear in round one and adding just four in the second. Cian O'Connor, riding his second-string horse Irish Independent Annabella scored eight in round one, but followed with a clear. Jessica Kurten and Quibell four-faulted in each round, while Billy Twomey lowered two in each round with Whinnie Jackson as Ireland concluded on a total of 20, with the Netherlands winners on five.
Ireland's Peter Charles failed to equal Eddie Macken record of a fourth straight Hickstead Derby win and had to settle for eighth with Pershing.
Briton John Whitaker taking victory on borrowed horse Buddy Bunn after beating his niece Ellen Whitaker (AK Lacarno) by a fence.
In Mullingar, James Kernan notched up his first IJM TimberFrame Grand Prix League win, partnering Killybegs Schubert to victory in the first grand prix of the weekend at the Westmeath venue.
Punchestown was the venue for the Bank Holiday weekend league opener on Saturday, with league topper Shane Breen (Luandra) stretching his lead over John Floody (Summerhill) following a two-horse jump-off.
Breen boasts 53 league points, putting him 8.5 ahead of Floody.
