Irish show jumpers celebrate success at World Championships

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THIRD to go for Ire-land, Meath’s Cian O’Connor and ‘C Vier

2’ were clear until the penultimate com-bination, where they had one fence down and picked up one time fault for a five fault score. That score from O’Connor would prove vital, as Derry’s Daniel Coyle had a couple of fences down with ‘Legacy’, after which Coyle decided to retire knowing he couldn’t improve Ireland’s score.

The course continued to take it’s toll on the world’s top horses and riders, and, when the last horse crossed the finish beam, Ireland could celebrate an outstanding fourth place finish and a team ticket to the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.

Sweden claimed a well-deserved team gold medal after finishing on a score of just 7.69. Netherlands took silver on 19.31, while Britain just pipped Ireland for bronze on 22.66. Ireland in fourth had a final score of 23.15, while Germany took the last Olympic qualifying place on a score of 24.76.

Ireland had three riders qualified for Sunday’s World Championship individual fin-al, with Denis Lynch in 19th, Cian O’Connor in 20th and Bertram Allen in 21st place.

Irish team manager Michael Blake said: “Obviously we are delighted to take an Olympic qualification place at the very first opportunity, as it now gives us two full years to prepare for the Games. It is slightly bittersweet, as we came so close to winning a medal.

“It certainly was an exciting competition and all our guys fought hard to climb from ninth overall and finish in the top four. Congratulations to Sweden, The Netherlands and Britain on their medal wins and to Germany for also qualifying for Paris.

“None of this would be

possible without the incred-ible owners we have, the grooms, and all those that put so much work into a successful result and I want to thank each and every one of them.”

Horse Sport Ireland CEO Denis Duggan added: “Huge congratulations to Michael Blake and his team on a fantastic performance at the World Championships and in gaining Olympic qualification. To qualify here at the very first opportunity against all of the top teams in the world, is hugely significant, as it gives us as much time as possible to prepare for Paris. I want to also thank all of the owners of these horses that represent Ireland, the grooms, and all those working behind the scenes at home and here in Herning.”

TEAMWORK

Ireland’s team for the 2022 Ecco FEI Jumping World Championships:

Derry’s Daniel Coyle

with ‘Legacy’ – owned by Ariel Grange and Daniel Coyle; Groom: Greg

Debie

Meath’s Cian O’Connor with ‘C Vier 2’ – owned by Susan Magnier; Groom: Mie Ostersen

Tipperary’s Denis Lynch with ‘Brooklyn Heights’ – owned by Molly Ohrstrom; Groom: Gwendoline

Bellamy

Wexford’s Bertram Allen with ‘Pacino Amiro’ (ISH) – owned by Aidan McGrory; Groom: Lovisa Munter

BREEDING

Pacino Amiro (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Pacino (BWP), out of Carnone Dancing Queen (ISH) by NC Amiro (AES). Breeder: Simon Scott, Co. Donegal. Owner: Aiden McGrory. Rider: Bertram Allen (IRL).