THE Irish camp at last week’s European eventing championships at Luhmühlen in Germany were delighted that Cathal Daniels won individual bronze but it was a matter of what might have been on the team front.

The quartet of Ciaran Glynn (November Night), Sarah Ennis (Horseware Woodcourt Garrison), Daniels (Rioghan Rua) and Sam Watson (Tullabeg Flamenco) were lying fifth after dressage (94.1), just four penalties behind Belgium (90.9) who were in third as Germany (68.9) finished the first phase well clear of Britain (85.7).

Glynn and Daniels were home clear inside the time on Saturday while Ennis nearly managed to do so but picked up 2.8 time penalties. Most disappointingly for Watson, he missed his line to the troublesome bird sitting on its nest in the water at 20b and picked up 20 penalties here with the addition of 3.6 for time.

This was a fence that riders knew would cause trouble as a horse could leave a knee on it and so it proved during the day, most notably bringing an end to the championships for Britain’s Laura Collett who had been lying third on London 52. They left the track wet but uninjured.

There was a black flag option to this fence and at many others throughout the Mike Etherington-Smith-designed track where you had to stick to your lines. It proved useful for spectators viewing the fences on Thursday and Friday to bring their programme with them as the options were well explained therein.

Sadly for Glynn, his large group of supporters and the mare’s owners, November Night was withdrawn before the second horse inspection having picked up a knock across the country. This meant that Watson’s score had to be included in the team calculations.

Tullabeg Flamenco jumped a lovely clear on Sunday, as did Rioghan Rua, but Horseware Woodcourt Garrison had an unlucky pole down for a final team total of 125 penalties and sixth place.

“Sam’s error just came down to a split-second decision over what was a very, very technical track,” commented Irish team manager, Sally Corscadden. “His horse is only a 10-year-old and shows a lot of promise on the flat. Sarah’s horse too is just 10 and, apart from his flying changes, is getting established at this level. The other two horses had a lot of experience behind them.

“Cathal has worked hard at his dressage with the mare and it was great to see him on the podium with Ingrid and Michael and see his talent being recognized. We have a lot of horses coming through which is great for the team.

“There are 20 applications for Boekelo where the Tokyo horses will be tried as the Nations’ Cup is being run on the new Olympic format. Hopefully we will be allowed bring 10 or 12 horses there.”

Kennedy’s first championship

Competing as an individual on his father Con’s Westeria Lane, Co Meath’s Tony Kennedy was pleased enough with his performance at his first senior championships but rued jumping in so strongly at the second water (12abc) that he missed the first of the narrow triple brush fences. He still finished inside the time and, with a fence down show jumping, completed in 41st place (59.60).