Runner-up finish for Ireland in thrilling Nations Cup

IRISH showjumpers swept almost all before them at the five-star fixture in Falsterbo, Sweden, where they were just pipped for victory in yesterday’s thrilling Nations Cup and Billy Twomey topped Friday’s €200,000 Longines Grand Prix.

Corkman Twomey was in unstoppable form, already posting a double of victories with Ardcolum Duke before steering Kimba Flamenco into pole position in the 12-horse Grand Prix jump-off. In his second win with Ardcolum Duke in Friday morning’s Derby qualifier, he pinned Derry’s Daniel Coyle and Farona into runner-up, while Bertram Allen finished fourth with Christy Jnr.

Louth’s Mark McAuley had added to the Irish domination in Falsterbo by winning Thursday’s 1m50 speed class with Jasco V Bisschop ahead of Limerick’s Paul O’Shea with Skara Glens Presence in second. These two joined Allen and Coyle in yesterday’s Nations Cup which came down to a four-way jump-off between Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands and Sweden.

SHAVED

Italy’s Luca Marziani set the pace before Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann shaved a second off the target time. Dutchman Johnny Pals blew it wide open again with Chat Botte. Last to go, Coyle and Cita gave it everything they had and slotted Ireland into second when breaking the beam in 40.47.

Meanwhile, at the Longines European Youth Championships in Fontainebleau, France, Ireland scooped individual gold in the Children and Junior categories along with Children’s team silver and Junior team bronze.

Sarah Fitzgerald, Ciarán Foley, Lucy Morton and Rhys Williams claimed Children’s (Under 14) silver behind Germany and Williams and CES Cruson were the only combination to jump clear in all three rounds on their way to individual gold.

Jack Ryan, Kate Derwin, Jason Foley and Harry Allen took Junior (Under 18) team bronze and Foley became only the third Irish rider to win the individual title. Chef d’Equipe at the French fixture was James Kernan who was Junior European champion 44 years ago, in 1974.