Ireland in flying form
The Irish showjumpers hold their own against some of Europe’s best in a number of fiercely fought competitions
CSIO5* Falsterbo, Sweden
AFTER a thrilling three-way jump-off for the Longines
Nations Cup, the Netherlands took the top honours over Germany, with Ireland’s quartet of Shane Sweetnam (Chaqui Z), Cian O’Connor (Callisto), Mark McAuley (Miebello) and Denis Lynch (All Star 5) in third place.
Ireland’s team manager, Rodrigo Pessoa, said: “We were right in contention, with good rounds from all our riders. We would, of course, have preferred to win, but we matched some very strong teams today,” he said.
The Irish scored a one, two, three in Thursday’s grand prix qualifier courtesy of Bertram
Allen (Izzy By Picobello), Thomas Ryan (Quite Zero) and Shane Sweetnam (Main Road). They repeated this in the Derby after a four-horse jump-off against home favourite Peder Fredricson (H&M Carat Desire).
With less than two seconds dividing the trio, Bertram won on Christy Jnr, with Shane Sweetnam second on Indra Van De Oude Heihoef. Cian O’Connor was third on Copain Du Perchet CH, on whom he won the Derby trial.
“A few years ago, I tried to go too fast on Romanov in the Derby jump-off. It was nice to get it right this time,” said Bertram. “‘Christy’s’ only eight, but he always tries his best.”
Young Brit Tim Wilks (Quelbora Merze) was fifth in a star-studded grand prix jump-off won by Steve Guerdat on Hannah, while Millie Allen headed a qualifier for the young riders’ grand prix on Cheers Twin.