Ireland third in Belgian nations' cup
Friday, 1 May 2009 17:44Ireland today finished third in the Belgian Nations' Cup at Lummen on a total of 18 faults.
Victory went to France, who overtook halftime leaders Belgium to
finish on just four faults, while the home team recorded a total of
eight.
Ten teams took part this afternoon, and Ireland's luck nearly ran out when opening man Cian O'Connor was eliminated and sustained an injury to his chin at the treble when 'Splendor' put in a stop, having jumped clear to that point.
However, 20-year-old David Simpson with the Irish-bred 'Cruise With Me' had just one fence down and faulted twice on his
second round.
Tipperary's Denis Lynch with 'Abbervail van het Dingeshof' had one time fault in each round, while Billy Twomey and 'Je t'Aime Flamenco' had Ireland's only clear round first time out, and dropped a single pole in the final round.
Afterwards Horse Sport Ireland Team Manager Robert Splaine said: 'That was tough jumping today with fences not far off Super League size, but the lads put in a really gutsy performance and I'm pleased at the result.
'It was their first Nations' Cup appearance for most of the horses, and the performances today clear up a lot of issues in my own
mind, and some important decisions can now be made ahead of the very important Meydan Series, which begins later this month.'
