Fourth place finish for Ireland in Ocala Longines League Of Nations

The Irish Show Jumping team of Darragh Kenny (Eddy Blue), Tom Wachman (Tabasco De Toxandria Z), Daniel Coyle (Incredible) and Cian O’Connor (Bentley De Sury), finished fourth of 10 teams in the second leg of the five-star Longines League Of Nations at Ocala in Florida, USA in the early hours of this morning (Sunday).

Ireland came to Ocala on the back of an impressive win in the opening leg of the series at Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and were looking to repeat their win at Ocala from 12 months previously.

As the competition got underway, just three of the first 10 riders managed to jump clear, with Offaly’s Darragh Kenny among that trio, with a perfect round aboard Eddy Blue to give Michael Blake’s team the perfect start. Tipperary’s Tom Wachman was next in for the Irish with Tabasco De Toxandria Z and they finished with a score of four faults.

Derry’s Daniel Coyle with Incredible and anchor rider Meath’s Cian O’Connor with Bentley De Sury, also finished with four faults apiece, meaning Ireland would finish the first round on a score of four faults and in third place. The home team from the USA held the lead as the only team on a zero score, while Germany were close behind in second on a single time fault.

The second round of the Longines League Of Nations sees each team field just three riders with all scores to count and team manager Michael Blake selected Darragh Kenny, Tom Wachman and Cian O’Connor as his trio for the decider. Darragh Kenny picked up four faults second time out with Eddy Blue, before Tom Wachman kept all the poles standing with Tabasco De Toxandria Z, picking up just a time fault. Anchor rider Cian O’Connor delivered a brilliant clear when last to jump with Bentley De Sury, and that left Ireland on a final score of 13 faults and in fourth at the finish.

The home team from the USA scored a memorable victory on a score of four faults, just ahead of Germany in second on 5 faults, while Belgium filled third spot on the podium with the same 13 fault score as Ireland but in a faster time. France finished fifth, with Britain in sixth, Italy seventh and Sweden in eighth place.

The third leg of the Longines League Of Nations takes place at Rotterdam in The Netherlands on June 20th.