Ireland’s wait for Olympic Show Jumping team medal continues after seventh place finish in Paris

The Irish Show Jumping team have finished in seventh place overall following today’s (Friday) final of the team competition at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Ireland were among the top 10 teams who made it through Thursday’s team qualifier to take their place in the final, where all teams started on a zero score. Cork’s Shane Sweetnam was first into the arena for Ireland with the Irish-bred gelding James Kann Cruz (ISH). They looked to be heading for a clear round however the very last fence fell to the floor and like many of the competitors, they also picked up a time fault for a 5 fault score.

That was followed by an outstanding clear round from Derry’s Daniel Coyle and the 14-year-old mare Legacy – the second clear for the pair at the Games after they had also delivered a clear in the opening qualifier. A clear round from Ireland’s anchor rider, Cian O’Connor with Maurice, would have given Ireland their first ever Olympic Show Jumping team medal, however the pair had two fences down and a time fault for a 9 fault score. That left Ireland on a final score of 14 faults and in seventh place at the finish.

The British team of Ben Maher, Harry Charles and Scott Brash won the team gold medal on a score of just 2 penalties. The silver medal went to the USA on 4 penalties while the home team from France collected the bronze on 7 penalties, which was the same score as the Netherlands however the French had a faster time.

Focus now turns to the individual Show Jumping competition, with the qualifier taking place on Monday featuring 75 combinations that all start on a zero score. The top 30 horse and rider combinations will then go forward to the individual Olympic final on Tuesday.

BREEDING
James Kann Cruz (ISH) – 2013 gelding by Kannan (KWPN) out of CSF Telly Cruz (ISH) by Cruising (ISH). Breeder: Patrick Connolly. Owner: Gizmo Partners LLC. Rider: Shane Sweetnam (IRL).

Photos: Libby Law Photography