Show Jumping

Michael Slavin

For the first time in Ireland’s international show jumping history we had three Nations Cup teams in action last weekend as we fielded squads in Switzerland, Canada and Denmark.

Our best result came with a podium finish for the side of Conor Swail, Andrew Byrnes, Robert Blanchette and Daniel Coyle at Langley, British Columbia. Coyle on Sue and Ariel Grange’s Cita jumped a double clear to help Ireland into third behind USA and Canada who both sealed their places in this year’s FEI Nations Cup final in Barcelona.

Coyle also won a $35,500 jump-off with Simba de la Roque by Kannan. Sadly our young side of Max O’Reilly Hyland, Matt Garrigan, Michael Duffy and Shane Carey did not make the cut of eight at Uggerhaine in Denmark. Rodrigo Pessoa’s side of Dermott Lennon, Richard Howley, Anthony Condon and Mark McAuley took on the tough Division I test at St. Gallen, Switzerland. But the blessing of our Saint Gall was not with them.

They finished on a total of 28 in seventh place behind the brilliant Italians, who have now scored two big wins in a row. This was not a points gaining show for Ireland. Our next big test comes at Rotterdam on 23 June where we will be hunting points.