Irish team eliminated as Germany retain title
Disaster struck for the second time in as many days when Dermott Lennon’s stallion Condios refused to jump the last fence, a double comprising an oxer and upright with water trays. It brought his competition to an abrupt end, two refusals leading to his elimination, and, consequently, the team’s elimination.
The team had already suffered the enforced withdrawal of Robert Splaine on Thursday, after Clarion Hotels Coolcorron Cool Diamond unseated the Corkman and subsequently pulled up lame.
The double blow left just two riders - Jessica Kürten (Castle Forbes Maike) and Harry Marshall (Ado Annie) - failing to fill the requirement of three for a nations cup contest.
Ireland’s chef d’equipe John Ledingham was stoic: “In sport at this level, these things happen.”
He said world champion Lennon, who was part of the 2001 winning team, was disappointed, not alone for himself, but also for the team.
Kürten, who from the outset was Ireland’s main hope for a medal, brought a modicum of joy to the Irish camp by qualifying for tomorrow’s competition for individual honours. She jumped rounds of eight and four faults yesterday and is 21st of the 25 riders going forward.
Irish pathfinder Marshall repeated his opening day score of 12 faults on Ado Annie in round one. With the team eliminated and knowing his score was not good enough to challenge for an individual medal, he withdrew. Ledingham said Marshall felt it better to save the mare for today’s grand prix and the nations cup in Dublin in two weeks.
Yesterday’s competition saw Germany retain their title, with Switzerland second and Holland third.
Meanwhile, Splaine yesterday hit out at the medication control system at the show, saying it had failed him as he battled with a cough his stallion had picked up this week. He said he had “explored every avenue in a bid to have the cough treated” but was refused permission by officials. He resorted to giving the horse honey.
Stating that the horse’s welfare is paramount, the International Equestrian Federation permits the use of medication in certain circumstances if it is deemed it will not enhance the horse’s performance.
Splaine yesterday stressed his request for treatment was genuine, saying he was willing to have the horse tested before any medication was administered. He also felt the cough impacted negatively on Coolcorron Cool Diamond and contributed to his fall in Thursday’s opening round.
