Barcelona display gives Splaine cause for optimism
Cian O’Connor and Zanoubia opened the show with an encouraging second in a speed class. This was followed by a one-two from Captain Shane Carey (Lismakin) and Cameron Hanley (SIEC Concept), respectively, in a two-phase contest, with the former boasting a devastating nine-second winning margin.
Billy Twomey — who was drafted into the squad last week after Shane Breen’s horse World Cruise had failed to recover sufficiently from an illness that manifested itself at the World Equestrian Games — followed with a third place in a speed class on Whinny Jackson.
Marie Burke and her stallion Chippison is the fifth squad member.
While all yesterday’s results came on the squad’s second-string horses, the riders’ performance demonstrated a determination that lifted Splaine, as Ireland bid to wrest themselves off the bottom of the league and avoid relegation.
“The results were definitely good for morale and confidence. It shows the riders have got a good feel for the arena and a ribbon always does a lot for spirits,” said Splaine.
The Corkman was unequivocal in saying Ireland would still be in the Super League when the sun sets on the Catalan capital on Sunday. Nevertheless, he is not naive to expect an easy time for the team.
“We can stay up in the league. There is no question of that. I’m not intimidated by the contest ahead; I’m in the sport too long and I have seen the lads deliver exceptional performances this year on occasion. Hickstead, Dublin and the World Games [where Ireland finished a credible sixth] were encouraging.
“But there is no point in pretending it’s not going to be a difficult course and the opposition is world class and as strong as I expected,” said Splaine, who would not counter any discussion on the implications of eviction from the eight-country elite grouping.
Ireland are in familiar territory in Barcelona, having also been in last place heading into the final last year. Then, a clear round at the death from Billy Twomey ensured continued Super League status.
This year, the league table shows Ireland on 17 points and bottom of the pile. The Netherlands, previously our main rivals in the relegation battle, moved into the comfort zone with a good result at last month’s Dublin Horse Show and are now third last on 21.125. Sweden’s second-last place at the RDS has seen them replace the Dutch as Ireland’s main target with 19.125 points.
There is no doubt, though, that with double points on offer on Sunday, the contest remains wide open.
* KATE HARRINGTON was best of the Irish on day one of the Junior European Eventing Championships at Necarne, Co Fermanagh, yesterday, riding Aspen to 15th place in the dressage phase.
Harrington scored 46.2 penalties, with Britain’s Laura Collett and Fernhil Socks topping the leaderboad on 36pens.
Germany lead the team standings on 125pens, just 0.5 ahead of Britain, with France third on 131.2. Ireland lie in seventh on 158.4pens.
* IT is a measure of the ability and consistency of the aforementioned Robert Splaine and Clarion Hotels Coolcorron Cool Diamond that the former placed second in this year’s Boswell Equestrian League, while his stallion was named leading horse.
What makes the achievement remarkable is that Splaine campaigned only one horse and that he also managed to combine competing with his Irish team managerial duties.
League victor Conor Swail would be the first to acknowledge that he possessed a strong string of horses — Conduct, Rivaal, Alaska and Nepomuk — which played a crucial role in his win.
That is not to detract from Swail’s talent and horsemanship; it merely serves to focus attention on the achievement of Splaine, who along with Francis Connors made Swail fight almost to the end to claim the title.
Connors, who placed third in the league, at one stage held a 20-point advantage. However, on August 6, Swail took command when topping the pile at South County Dublin on Nepomuk.
Victory last Thursday with Conduct at Iverk saw him wrap up the competition.
But Splaine’s win in the last round at the home of the league title sponsor Boswell Equestrian in Wexford last Sunday, along with Connors’s third on Auto Cruz and sixth with Merlin’s Magic, highlighted the openness of the league this year.
For the record, Swail finished on 120 points, with Splaine on 101 and Connors on 99.
* SUNDAY, October 1, has been deemed Ada Matheson Testimonial Day by Eventing Ireland.
The testimonial for the long-time, hard-working and ever-helpful secretary of the organisation will take place at Ballindenisk Event in Co Cork.
Eventing Ireland intend to present an inscribed piece of silver and a sizeable cheque to mark her contribution to the sport.
Patrons are urged to support the venture and at the event they have a number of means in which to show their appreciation — purchase a table for 10 at the lunch: €600, individual tickets: €65; sponsor one of the 23 fences on the course, starting at €200 each, with bids being taken for the more prominent fences (bids to John Green at Eventing Ireland head office: johntcg@eircom.net); sponsor an advert in the testimonial programme: full page at €100 and half page at €50. Any financial contribution is also welcome.
All competition will be halted while the lunch takes place.
Ada’s testimonial comes as she ends her 25-year stint as secretary of Eventing Ireland. Previously, she distinguished herself as a horsewoman, including forming part of the Irish show jumping team at the Mexico Olympics and lining out as a member of the Irish nations cup team in Dublin Horse Show.
* THE autumn league at the West Cork Equine Centre, Bandon, Co Cork, takes place on the following dates: September: 24; October: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; November: 5, 12, 19, 26.
