FOR only the second time in its 60-year history, the Irish senior show jumping team of Shane Sweetnam, Bertram Allen, Denis Lynch and Cian O’Connor won team gold at the FEI European Championships in Gothenburg, last Friday night.

Under the guidance of their new chef d’equipe, Brazilian Rodrigo Pessoa, the team moved from bronze medal position to take the gold with incredible clean-sheet performances from Sweetnam, Lynch and O’Connor, finishing on a total of 12.11 penalties.

The home nation, Sweden, won the silver medal on 18.21 penalties, with Switzerland taking bronze (20.15).

It wasn’t all smooth sailing however. The team was reduced to three men when Bertram Allen suffered an unfortunate fall during Thursday’s first round team competition. Not showing on Friday, but very much part of the team, Allen and his teammates rallied together to produce an outstanding performance and win a team gold medal for the first time in 16 years.

Team manager Rodrigo Pessoa unveiled a green, white and orange blazer during the prize giving, saying: “I’ve been wanting to turn the jacket around all year but I didn’t get a chance because we didn’t win anything, but today is a very good day to do it.

“These are a great group of guys, we have had a lot of fun but serious moments too. We had some difficult moments during the week but everyone stuck together and in the end that’s what counts. Well done to the horses, riders and grooms. Unbelievable job!”

Sweetnam was first to jump a perfect clear round with the amazing Chaqui Z. Lynch followed and never looked like touching a pole with All Star 5.

Disaster struck for Sweden who lost their grip on the lead when Malin Baryard-Johnsson (H&M Cue Channa) was forced to retire after crashing through the second part of the double, and Douglas Lindelow (Zacramento) picked up nine penalties.

The Swiss team also slipped down the rankings when only Martin Fuchs (Clooney 51) managed to keep a clean sheet.

Third last to go, Cian O’Connor had one fence in hand when entering the ring last to jump for Ireland.

Once again, like he has done on many occasions, O’Connor kept his cool and produced a top-class clear round with Good Luck, securing the gold medal.

Sweden’s Peder Fredricson reined it back with another fabulous clear with H&M All In to win silver in front of a delighted home crowd.

Bertram Allen joined his teammates on the podium to collect his gold medal. The team were also joined by development team manager Michael Blake, who played a huge part in the success of the team.

WHAT THEY SAID

RODRIGO PESSOA, talking about the Irish team effort: “We had this goal since the beginning of the year and our road was a little bit bumpy.

“We had some things that happened during the year and this week too, but we stuck together, we said we win together or we lose together and they showed a lot of determination and strength today, and I’m really proud of them for sure!”

CIAN O’CONNOR: “I’ve been doing this job for a long time and had Olympic success in London, but this man (Rodrigo Pessoa) has brought a level of professionalism and really brought everyone together.

“Rodrigo set out his stall early in the year that this was what was going to happen, we sacrificed some Nations Cups and came here and did the business.

“I was outside warming up when Denis jumped clear and I thought – I have to match that now! I don’t even remember the round, it was all kind of a blur.

“But I do remember going through the finish!”

SHANE SWEETNAM: “It was fairly stressful all week to be honest. We had a big aim all year, but things didn’t go our way, there was a long time between the classes and from yesterday to today, when we knew we were down to three.

“We had a good dinner last night, we got together and we said we’ll keep fighting for this. As you know the Irish are always better as underdogs, and we proved that, so we are very happy to be here now!”