Mistakes costly as Ireland finish seventh in Paris team final

There was disappointment for the Underwriting Exchange Irish Show Jumping at the Palace of Versailles today in Paris, as they had to settle for a seventh place finish. After an unprecedented season of success that had produced 11 Nations Cup podium results from combinations selected by Horse Sport Ireland’s High Performance Show Jumping Director Michael Blake, including a couple of five-star triumphs in Florida and Aachen, hopes were high that an historic first team show jumping medal was in reach. After qualifying comfortably for the final yesterday, a testing 1.65m course over 525m was welcomed by Blake and his squad of riders, Shane Sweetnam, Daniel Coyle and Cian O’Connor but despite a second stunning clear round by Coyle and his 14-year-old mare Legacy, it wasn’t to be. Victory went to Great Britain on just two time penalties, with USA taking silver and hosts France the bronze medal. “Not our day,” […]