Ireland finish as runners-up in Longines League Of Nations Final
The Irish Show Jumping team have finished the outdoor season on a high, after claiming a runner-up finish in today’s (Sunday) prestigious Longines League Of Nations final at the Real club de Polo in Barcelona (ESP). A thrilling contest went right down to the wire with a jump-off needed at the finish to decide the winners after Ireland and Great Britain both finished tied for the lead after two rounds of jumping.
Ireland were in a six-way tie for second place at the halfway stage, after a clear round from Wexford’s Bertram Allen and Qonquest de Rigo along with four fault scores from Michael Pender (HHS Los Angeles (ISH), Sean Monaghan (Toyger) and Billy Twomey (Jumping Jack van de Kalevallei).
The second round which featured just three riders from each team and with all scores to count, saw Bertram Allen give Ireland a huge boost when he completed a double clear performance with his 9-year-old gelding. Sean Monaghan repeated his first round score of 4 faults and when Billy Twomey also finished his second round with just one fence down, Ireland would finish on a two round score of 16 faults. As fences fell for many of the competitors in their second rounds, only Britain could match Ireland’s score and so a jump-off was required to see who would lift the trophy.
Billy Twomey with Jumping Jack van de Kalevallei were selected to carry Irish hopes in the jump-off against Britain’s Scott Brash with Hello Jefferson. Twomey produced a brilliant clear in 38.42 seconds to put huge pressure on World No 5 Brash. who showed all his experience to stop the clock a quarter of a second faster in 38.19 to leave Britain as winners. Ireland finished as runners-up while 2024 champions Germany filled third place on the podium. Belgium finished fourth, USA fifth, while halfway leaders The Netherlands had to settle for sixth place at the finish.
BREEDING
HHS Los Angeles (ISH) – 2014 mare by Le Roi (ZDP) out of China Cavalier (ISH) by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Marion Hughes. Owner: Bravo Hughes Ltd. Rider: Michael Pender (IRL).