Irish strength in depth underlined by near miss
Kevin Babington riding his own Carling King Cian O'Connor, Lt David O'Brien and Darragh Kerins matched the home team in jumping terms, but fell foul of the clock, losing by a single time fault.
The Wellington Nations Cup cannot be considered one of the most important nations cups on the international circuit, attracting only Canada apart from the home team, and Ireland.
Nevertheless, the Irish performance was notable in that it came against some of the best and most experienced US riders Beezie Madden, McLain Ward and Sydney Olympians Lauren Hough and Margie Engle who were eager to retain the title they won last year.
Leading the way for Ireland, under chef d'equipe and former army man Jimmy Doyle, was Sligo's Darragh Kerins, who had a double clean round on Riviera.
After anchorman Babington put up the all-important single time fault in round one, he produced another brilliant round jumping clear in Ireland's final ride at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club to give a nail-biting finish.
Sydney Olympic veteran Margie Engle entered the ring knowing that she needed a fault-free ride on Hidden Creek's Jones to clinch the win. One rail down would have given the win to the Irish and one time fault would force a jump-off.
That did not turn out to be the case, however. Exhibiting the skill and nerve that have gained her more grand prix wins than any rider in US history, Engle guided her 12-year-old Dutch-bred to her second clean ride of the day to see the US lift the Wellington's Nations Cup for the second straight year.
Cian O'Connor scored two rounds of four faults on one of his former rides, Green Card, with Lt David O'Brien notching up eight and seven on Libera.
Babington and Carling King placed eighth in the grand prix on Sunday, picking up almost 3,000.
Meanwhile, Robert Splaine and the stallion Coolcorron Cool Diamond again featured in the Sunshine Tour in Spain last weekend. In Sunday's grand prix, the Corkman made the jump-off, but four-faulted to sixth.
On Friday, he was one better when coming home behind Briton Robert Whitaker (Qualite). On the same day, Niall Talbot and Elelfield also finished fifth in a Big Tour class.
In Vilamoura, Portugal, Louise Walsh and Jogatina jumped faultless to place fourth and eighth on successive days in 1.35m classes
TREVOR COYLE travels to Dortmund this weekend aiming to copperfasten his qualification for next month's World Cup finals.
The northerner (who rides Fleur, Portofino and Falballa) currently lies joint 13th on the Western European League on 41 points. Eighteen riders will qualify from the league for the Las Vegas showcase next month, along with title holder Rodrigo Pessoa.
Joining him in Dortmund are Jessica Kurten (Paavo N, Preishammer, GK Illona and Catania) and Denis Lynch (Luigi K, Landos and Donna).
The Equestrian Federation of Ireland hopes to be in a position to announce its new secretary general and high-performance director early next month.
An interview panel made up of members of the EFI executive, Ned Campion, Lewis Lowry, Charles Hanley, together with Morgan Buckley of Atlantic Sport and Leisure Management hope to conclude interviews this month, according to an EFI spokesman.
TEMPLEMARTIN Hunter Trials in Co Cork, scheduled to take place on March 30, will now take place on Saturday, March 29. The change was made in consideration of the Ireland versus England rugby match.
Classes will include training for ponies and horses in singles and pairs format, competitions for novice horses and ponies and an open horse competition. There will also be a starter course for beginners.
The event, which starts at 11.30am, will also feature showjumping and dressage, courses and tests to suit all levels. All money raised will go towards the Special Olympics. Enquiries: 023/44678.
MEELIN STUD near Bandon has acquired two thoroughbred stallions. One by Saddlers Wells, Kadeed, is a bay, standing 16.3hh. He has produced a group winner in the US, according to the new owners.
The second, Kerrier, is by Nashwan and has won two group two races. He stands 16.1hh and is chestnut in colour.
The Irish draught stallion Fast Silver also stands in this West Cork stud.
Enquiries: 023/41877.
WITH just three qualifying rounds left in the 2003 Spring Showjumping League at The Ballyrafter Centre, Lismore, competition is hotting up with superb action last Sunday.
Shane Hassett from Killenaule while having the strongest hand with three through to the jump-off of the Century Homes 148 BC qualifier, was made to fight hard in a 10-pony barrage for the honours, coming out on top with Joseph St John's Cabra Princess.
Shane, whose ambition is to be a jockey, set the target on The Punter, owned by his father Patrick. Fiona Beecher, Tallow, dislodged him with Loughnatousa Ron, but Shane went one better when last to go on the chestnut Cabra Princess.
Nikki Murphy from Waterfall, Cork, is having a super season in the 128s on Greybrook Polo, the Bucas leading pony in the league, having won three qualifiers and placed every week. Sunday, however, belonged to Glanmire lad Charlie O'Sullivan who won a tremendous jump-off with Charlie's Warrior.
Nine-year-old Niamh Flynn, from Colligan with only her second ride in open competition, set the target on Jumping Jazz in 34.04 seconds but Charlie reduced this to 33.46 seconds and then Nikki, despite a great effort had to settle for third this week in 34.61 seconds.
The 148AB went to Fiona Beecher for the second time with Loughnatousa Falcon. She came home ahead of Kilkenny rider Mark Flynn and his two ponies Poetic's Girl and Kilcannon Explosion, all three ponies having started as novices in Ballyrafter.
Glanmire scored a double on Sunday when Rebekah Keating won the 138cms A/B with La Passione, edging out Kenny Murphy, Nikki's elder brother, on Tullibard's Prince. This result put La Passione one point ahead of Tullibards Prince in the hunt for the Bucas Leading Pony in this class.
The 138BC so far has been dominated by Rebekah's cousin Sinead Keating and Mon Amie, winners of three qualifiers.
On Sunday, they looked likely winners in 35.65, but Dunmore East girl Stephanie Higgins and Silver League, having their first outing this season made it a winning one by the narrowest of margins in 35.15.
THE Irish Horse Board and the Hanley family will hold a stallion show and parade at Claremorris Horse Breeding Centre next Monday.
Breeders will be well served with the line-up featuring fully approved ponies, Irish draughts, sport horses and thoroughbreds from around the country.
The stallion show will start at 12.30pm and, after each section has paraded, there will be an opportunity for stallions to be ridden over fences.
Some stallions and their progeny will be stabled on the grounds for breeders to view during the day.
The Hanley family is putting up a prize fund of 1000 for the winners of a jumping competition for four- year-old horses. It is confined to mares, geldings or colts registered with the Irish Horse Board. A catalogue will available and admission for spectators is free.
More information at: 087 2901042
