SHOW JUMPING

Michael Slavin

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A superb double clear from the Army’s Capt Brian Cournane on the Irish Sport Horse Javas Keltic Mist helped Ireland into a respectable joint fourth place with France in the three-star Nations’ Cup at Drammen, Norway, last weekend.

Brian joined Michael Duffy, Capt Geoff Curran and last week’s Grand Prix winner Paul O’Shea on the side that slotted in behind a quality Dutch squad that won on four faults ahead of Denmark on eight and Italy with 12.

Both Michael Duffy on Felix and Geoff Curran on Mullaghbane (Parco/Porsch) jumped fours in both rounds to give Ireland a total of 16, while O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Sienna had the discard scores.

Javas Keltic Mist is still just a nine-year-old and it is nice to see a good one like this coming on stream for the Army. He is by Ard VDL Douglas and out of a Clover Hill dam.

Judy Murphy bred him in Co Louth and he had been ridden up through the grades to a host of wins on the national circuit by Tara Dunne, Edward Doyle Jr. and Greg Broderick.

“We had three horses making their Nations’ Cup debut here at Drammen, with one rider competing in his first Nations’ Cup and two in their second Nations’ Cup,” said show jumping team manager Robert Splaine.

“Capt Brian Cournane had a day he will always remember. To jump a double clear with Javas Keltic Mist on their first attempt in what was a tough Nations’ Cup was an outstanding achievement.

“Michael Duffy is 18 and a prospect for the European Young Rider Championship squad. He took the opportunity well and this will stand to him for challenges ahead.”