IRELAND made an impressive second round comeback in the FEI Nations Cup at Gijon last Saturday to finish in third place behind the victorious French team, with The Netherlands in the runner-up spot.

The team of Shane Breen, David Simpson, Cameron Hanley and Anthony Condon rose from joint sixth place at the halfway stage to stand on the podium at the finish. Led by chef d’equipe Taylor Vard, Ireland tried out new combinations at this venue and two eight-year-old horses, Cameron Hanley’s Quirex and David Simpson’s Keoki, made their first team appearance.

The team finished the first round on 12 faults. First to go, Shane Breen produced a brilliant clear with the nine-year old stallion Ipswich Van De Wolfsakker (Carembar de Muze x Quick Star), before Dabid Simpson picked up eight faults with Julia Cruden’s Keoki (Catoki x Cassini I).

Mayo’s Cameron Hanley just made a single mistake in the first round with Quirex (Quirado x Concept) and Anthony Condon was the discard score with three poles on the ground with the more experienced Balzac (Oklund x Frisbee Kerellec).

France were out in front at the half-way stage with a clean sheet, followed closely by Canada on just one time fault.

Ireland fought back with a brilliant recovery in round two to add nothing to the 12 faults and climb up the ladder. Breen once again jumped clear, one of only four double clears in the competition, with Breen Equestrian and Jos Lansink’s impressive chesnut. Simpson was unfortunate to pick up 12 faults before both Hanley and Condon returned with zero faults.

France held on to finish with four faults, just ahead of the Dutch with eight. Things unravelled for Canada and, hampered by a rider elimination, finished round two with 13 faults to drop down to fourth place behind Ireland.

Britain’s tough season at the Nations Cup level continued when they finished with 20 faults in fifth place. Mexico were sixth, followed by Germany, Spain and Egypt.

Vard said: “It was a great comeback from the lads and we are really thrilled with the second round performance. Shane’s horse jumped two fantastic clear rounds. Cameron had an excellent second round and Anthony finished it off brilliantly with a clear when last to go.

“I want to thank all the riders and, most importantly, the owners. This was always a building exercise and we come away from here adding to our strength in depth with some new combinations for next year.”

Gijon was not part of the European Division 1 Nations Cup series which finished at Dublin at the start of August. Ireland, who were last weekend crowned European champions at Gothenburg in Sweden, now prepare for the Nations Cup world final which takes place at Barcelona in Spain on the last weekend in September.

Gijon Nations Cup

– Irish team

scores

Shane Breen Ipswich Van De Wolfsakker 0/0

David Simpson Keoki 8/12

Cameron Hanley Quirex 4/0

Anthony Condon Balzac 12/0