CHIO Aachen, Germany
IRELAND threw down the gauntlet in the Mercedes-Benz Aachen Nations' Cup, winning after three riders had jumped and two combinations who'll be travelling to the Olympics achieving double clears - with Mexico and Britain in second and third respectively.
Denis Lynch (Vistogrand), Bertram Allen (Pacino Amiro), Shane Sweetnam (James Kann Cruz) and Cian O'Connor (Fancy De Kergane) were among five teams who took a clean sheet to round two.
Shane and James Kann Cruz are on the Olympic team and Bertram and Pacino Amiro are the alternates.
They were level with Sweden, Mexico, Britain and the Netherlands, then jumped three clears in round two, so Cian and the nineyear-old stallion did not have to jump again.
Irish chef d'equipe Michael Blake said it was his "full bucket list" to win this title, which Ireland had not done since 2010.
"It was the plan to bring the best team and thankfully things went our way. Thank you to Mexico and Great Britain for pushing us to the line." Britain were in fine form, with one unlucky rail for Harry Charles and Casquo Blue in round one, and Ben Maher (Dallas Vegas Batilly), Scott Brash and his Paris Olympics ride Hello Jefferson and Robert Whitaker (Vermento) jumping clear.
Ben and Scott repeated their foot-perfect performances in round two, but luck was not with Harry, who notched up 12 faults. And Robert and the Blatchfords' 11-year-old stallion clipped just one to put Britain on four faults.
This was the same tally as Mexico: Nicolas Pizarro (Pia Contra), Andres Azcarraga (Contendros 2), Federico Fernandez (Romeo) and Eugenio Garza Perez (Contago), who edged ahead on time.
British showjumping performance manager Di Lampard was delighted.
"They're coming into form at the right time," she said.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 11, 2024 من Horse & Hound.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 11, 2024 من Horse & Hound.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life
