Judy Reynolds breaks new ground as first Irish rider to line out at World Cup final
The Kildare native came close to qualifying for the showcase in Gothenburg, Sweden, as she strived and succeeded to win a place for Ireland in the Olympics.
However, she subsequently found herself booking a ticket for the World Cup final when a number of riders opted not to compete. As such, she feels she is in bonus territory.
“Nine horses qualified directly and I was a couple of places out and, due to a couple of people not starting, I got in.
“However, the World Cup was never a target, we did well in the league due to our efforts to qualify for the Olympics, so making the final here in Gothenburg is a bonus,” said Reynolds, as she prepared for the trot up of her mount Vancouver K.
“There are 18 starters and everyone generally gets into the final on Sunday, provided you score 60% in Friday’s grand prix and barring some injury or something totally unexpected happening. Basically, Friday’s grand prix decides the running order for Sunday’s freestyle to music.”
Reynolds is becoming synonymous with setting Irish records in the past year, but she was reluctant to indulge in crystal ball gazing.
“We haven’t put a number on how we are going to do this weekend, we are just aiming to enjoy the experience.
“I’ve had enough pressure in the last few weeks in terms of qualifying for the Olympics.
“We are not coming here to set new records, as we did in Doha two weeks ago. Vancouver has had a break, but to replicate the amazing performances in Doha would be a very lofty goal. Our aim, basically, is to do our best in representing Ireland. We are now in the world top 40 and, to see Irish dressage gaining a stronger reputation, is very heartening,” said the German-based rider.
Of course, Reynolds is not alone in flying the tricolour in Gothenburg this weekend, as Denis Lynch will be aiming to earn Ireland its first show jumping title with All Star 5.
The Tipperary rider is one of 38 athletes from 18 nations in a contest that also features the amazing Flexible, who represents the supreme expression of Irish breeding. The stallion is the oldest horse in the competition, continuing to defy his 20 years in the hands of Rich Fellers. The pair broke a 25-year drought for the US when winning the title in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, in 2012.
The competition opens tonight, with a second round tomorrow, and the decider on Monday.
- On the other side of the Atlantic, attention will also be focused on Ocala, Florida, where the likes of Cian O’Connor (Good Luck) will bid for a slice of the $1m on offer in the grand prix.
* Cathal Daniels and Jonty Evans, two of the riders that figured in Ireland’s first eventing nations cup win in Boekelo, the Netherlands, last year, get the nod for the season opener in Fontainebleau, France, this weekend.
Both will partner their Boekelo mounts, with Daniels aboard Rioghan Rua and Evans saddling up Cooley Rorkes Drift.
The remaining two members of the team from the 11 riders competing this weekend are Austin O’Connor on Kilpatrick Knight, who lay 12th after dressage yesterday on 52.7 penalties, and Clare Abbott on Euro Prince, in 18th place on 55.3pens.
Sarah Ennis (BLM Diamond Delux) leads the way for Ireland in 10th place with 50.6pens.
With Ireland having qualified a team for the Olympics, team manager Nick Turner said Irish eventing “is in great place at the moment” and he expects good things this weekend.
“I had some tough decisions to make in announcing the team, but I am confident that we can put up a good performance this weekend. Both Cathal and Jonty competed on the winning Boekelo Nations Cup team last year while Clare has represented Ireland at many top level events, including a top 10 finish at Pau four-star last year. Austin also competed at the European Eventing Championships last year. With this combined experience and knowledge I am looking forward to the weekend ahead.”
- Six weeks ago, the Dept of Agriculture said the issuing of a request for tenders for a strategic review of structures governing the equine sector, ie Horse Sport Ireland, etc, was due “in the very near future”. I think it’s fair to say we’ve passed the “very near future” stage, yet the the request for tenders has yet to be issued. This week the department said the document seeking consultants to tender for the review of Horse Sport Ireland is currently being finalised and will be published as soon as possible.’
“As soon as possible”, another term with suitably elastic properties.
A spokesman in a follow-up yesterday said: “The request for tenders process must comply with procurement legislation.
“Checks are currently being carried out to ensure that this tender is fully compliant with the legislation.”
Of course, neither are the much-heralded equine knowledge transfer groups anywhere to be seen as we enter the breeding season in earnest.
Fear not, though, the department is “putting in place” arrangements for the launch of the groups in June.
- A great day out for all the family is promised by the organisers of the upcoming Templemartin Hunter Trials.
They take place on April 10, beginning at 11am, and will feature the following classes: Horse training, pony training, training pairs, novice pony, novice horse, novice pairs, and open.
- See templemartinhuntertrials on facebook.
