The Irish show jumping team has won the silver medal at the FEI Jumping European Championship in Milan.
Michael Blake's quartet of Michael Duffy, Trevor Breen, Shane Sweetnam and Eoin McMahon began the team final in fourth place but with less than a time fault separating them and leaders Germany.
Following his successful Aga Khan Trophy debut at the Dublin Horse Show last month, Galway’s Michael Duffy was first into the arena for Ireland.
Riding the 14-year-old grey mare Cinca 3, owned by Hibernia Sport Horses Ltd. Duffy had already jumped two clear rounds on Wednesday and Thursday and he delivered yet another clear round to get Ireland off to the perfect start.
Overnight leaders Germany did not have the same luck as their first line rider Marcus Ehning withdrew from competition. The final fence also fell for Henrik von Eckermann of second-placed Sweden. A clear round from Steve Guerdat got third-placed Switzerland off to a strong start.
Trevor Breen was next in for Ireland with Heather Black’s Highland President. The Tipperary native and the 11-year-old gelding were unlucky to roll the final part of the combination but the result was enough to move Ireland up a notch on the leader board.
At the half way stage Ireland were in bronze medal position as Germany dropped to fourth following a fence down for Philipp Weishaupt.
Sweden moved to the top of the leaderboard following an excellent clear from Wilma Hellström. Switzerland held second but two fences down from Bryan Balsiger meant the pressure was on for the remaining two Swiss riders.
Cork’s Shane Sweetnam and the Irish Sport Horse James Kann Cruz, owned by Gizmo Partners LLC, were unlucky to add four faults to their total following an excellent clear round yesterday.
Sweden extended their lead following another text-book performance from Jens Fredricson but Switzerland's third rider, Edouard Schmitz, had three fences down and Ireland moved into second place.
Making his second senior team championship appearance, Tipperary’s Eoin McMahon and the 11-year-old grey mare Mila, owned by Ludger Beerbaum Stables GmbH, needed to deliver to secure Ireland a medal.
One fence down for McMahon put Blake's men on a team total of 18 and in third. However, Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs needed to jump clear to hold onto the silver medal. It wasn’t to be for Switzerland as an uncharacteristic eight faults dropped them to sixth place and pushed Ireland back up to second.
Victory went to Sweden who completed on a team score of 9.51, with three of their four riders jumping clear. Austria finished third on 22.77. Germany were fourth and Spain finished in fifth.
Michael Duffy currently is in third place heading into the individual final, which will take place on Sunday.
