The Irish Show Jumping team of Tipperary’s Shane Breen, Louth’s Mark McAuley, Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan and Derry’s Daniel Coyle, managed by Michael Blake, have finished as runners-up in the Longines FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain at Hickstead in the UK.
The Irish team included two Irish-bred horses and the result gives Ireland a huge boost in their quest to qualify for the 2023 Longines FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona.
Photo: Irish Show Jumping team manager Michael Blake congratulates Jack Ryan as he leaves the arena completing a double clear performance in the Longies FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain
Ireland were drawn first to jump in the opening round and Tipperary’s Shane Breen with Cuick Star Kervec, owned by Breen Equestrian Ltd & Quirke Sport Horses Ltd, were first into the arena and picked up 8 faults. The next two Irish riders both partnered Irish-bred horses and they both delivered perfect clear rounds.
Louth’s Mark McAuley with his own GRS Lady Amaro (ISH), bred by Denis Hickey, were Ireland’s first clear and this was quickly followed by another clear from Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan with BBS McGregor (ISH), owned and bred by Marguerite Ryan. Daniel Coyle with Legacy owned by Ariel Grange were Ireland’s anchor combination and one fence down for the Derry rider saw Ireland complete the first round on a four fault score to share the lead with hosts Britain and France at the halfway stage.
The second round saw Breen repeat his first round score of 8 faults with Cuick Star Kervec. Mark McAuley and GRS Lady Amaro (ISH) were unfortunately eliminated, meaning all scores would count from Ireland’s two remaining riders. Twenty-one-year-old Jack Ryan and the Irish-bred BBS McGregor (ISH) completed an outstanding double clear round and with Britain forging ahead, Ireland were then in a battle with France for runner-up spot. Daniel Coyle and Legacy delivered a clear round as last to jump and that ensured the Irish would take runner-up spot and vital league points.
Great Britain claimed victory on home soil for the first time in 13 years with a final score of just four faults. Ireland finished second on 12 faults with France finishing third of the eight teams on 16 faults.
The result has moved Ireland up to fourth place on the Longines FEI Nations Cup Europe Division 1 league table, with Ireland’s last opportunity to score points coming in the Aga Khan at the Dublin Horse Show on Friday August 11th. The top seven teams on the league table will qualify for the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, Spain from September 28th- October 1st 2023.
BREEDING:
BBS McGregor (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Cardento (HOLST) out of Random Chance (ISH) by Mark Twain (TB). Breeder and Owner: Marguerite Ryan, Co. Kilkenny. Rider: Jack Ryan (IRL).
GRS Lady Amaro (ISH) – 2013 mare by Amaretto Darco (BWP) out of Legal Lady (TB) by Over The River (TB). Breeder: Denis Hickey, Co. Wexford. Owner: S.N.C McAuley. Rider: Mark McAuley (IRL).