Ireland's show jumping team extended their excellent record of Nations Cup podium finishes this year to 11 by coming third in a the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain at the All England Jumping Course in Hickstead this afternoon.
For the second year in a row, the hosts took the honours thanks to a clear round from venerable anchor John Whitaker, the 68-year-old proving nerveless just as he had done 12 months ago.
On that occasion, the British denied Ireland narrowly, while this year it was Netherlands that were runners-up.
Ireland were in contention right to the closing stages, however, and the result emboldens the positivity around Irish show jumping with the Olympic Games competition getting under way in Paris next Thursday.
Horse Sport Ireland's high performance show jumping director Michael Blake opted to marry considerable experience with youthful vigour when selecting his team for the unique challenge set by Kelvin Bywater and his crew.
Denis Lynch and Cian O’Connor bookended the Wachman brothers Max and Tom, both of whom had contributed handsomely to the team that won gold at the European Championships for Young Riders in Peelbergen last week.
O’Connor, the only member of today’s quartet competing at the Olympics, was participating in his 150th Nations Cup, 24 years after making his debut as a 19-year-old – the same age as Tom Wachman is now.
Denis Lynch gave the Irish the ideal start with a clear round on Vistogrand. The stallion knows the venue well having previously been in the care of Lynch’s fellow Tipperary native Shane Breen, who is based at Hickstead.
It showed and the 11-year-old illustrated his marvellous scope and easy power without apparently ever needing to move out of his comfort zone.
Max Wachman and Kilkenny had eight faults, however, to put the Green Jackets on the back foot.
While Tom Wachman and Berlux Z knocked two of the last three obstacles to register 12 faults, not for the first time, O’Connor came to Ireland’s rescue with a brilliant clear on Fermoy.
It was a masterful effort by both horse and rider on a day that meant a lot to the Meath-based Kildare native, with Fermoy never even threatening to rub a pole.
Clear rounds were hard to come by for the large part, as evidenced by the high scoring and the fact that Ireland’s ultimate tally of 16 faults was good enough for third.
It was particularly notable that Max Wachman returned with a clear round, which was a vital contribution, and while Tom suffered an unfortunate elimination, the pair have enjoyed a significant week in their careers and in their development as high-class riders.
Lynch and O’Connor both had one fence down second time around and that was enough to hold off a rallying Germany for yet another podium spot.
Elsewhere, it was a big day in Valkenswaard for Jordan Coyle with two victories, including a four-star triumph for the Derry native.
Coyle, whose younger brother Daniel will represent Ireland at the Olympics next week, got the day off to a good start when scoring in the two-star Grand Prix Qualifier on King Kannan GP.
Coyle returned to the Grass Arena five hours later to land the spoils in another speed class, this time a four-star 1.50m Grand Prix qualifier with the admirable 13-year-old gelding For Gold that he co-owns with Falkirk Farm.
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