THE Irish show jumping team maintained their excellent recent run of results, by claiming a runner-up finish in Friday's three-star Longines EEF Nations Cup at Drammen in Norway.

A very tight contest saw Ireland among five teams who shared the lead on a zero score following the first round. Irish Chef d’Equipe Taylor Vard saw three clear rounds from his opening three riders, with Tipperary’s Thomas Ryan (Springfield 21), Cork’s Jeremy Sweetnam (Brown Star Z) and Wexford’s Harry Allen (Over Lux (ISH), all jumping clear. That meant Ireland’s last combination, Waterford’s Comdt. Geoff Curran with Glengarra Wood (ISH), didn’t need to jump in the first round.

Ryan and Sweetnam completed double clear rounds second time out before Allen came home with four faults picked up at the water. As the competition came down to the last line riders, Ireland, Brazil and Belgium were the three teams that could finish on a zero score.

Brazil were to finish on a final score of one time fault, and when Curran picked up four faults near the end of his round, and the final Belgian rider also finished on the same score, Brazil emerged as winners. Ireland took second place as the fastest of the three teams who finished on four faults, while third place went to Belgium.

Live show jumping on RTE

Ireland are in five-star Longines FEI Nations Cup action this Sunday at Sopot in Poland – a competition that will be shown live on the RTE News Channel from 1pm on Sunday afternoon.

The Irish Show Jumping team is sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange

Equiline – Official athlete clothing supplier of Horse Sport Ireland

Source: Horse Sport Ireland press release.