Podium finish for Irish Show Jumping team in Spanish Nations Cup

The Irish Show Jumping team have taken third place on the podium in today’s five-star Nations Cup at Gijon in Spain. Taylor Vard’s team, which included two eight-year-old’s and a nine-year-old horse, rose from joint sixth place at the halfway stage to an impressive third place at the finish. The quartet of Shane Breen, David Simpson, Cameron Hanley and Anthony Condon came home with a clean slate in the second round to finish on their first round total of 12 faults.

The Irish team who finished third in the Gijon Nations Cup (l-r) Anthony Condon, David Simpson, Shane Breen and Cameron Hanley

Tipperary’s Shane Breen and the nine-year old Ipswich Van De Wolfsakker were the star performers for Ireland, jumping a double clear on what was their Nations Cup debut as a combination. Mayo’s Cameron Hanley and the eight-year-old Quirex produced an excellent clear in the second round having come home with just one mistake first time out. Derry’s David Simpson and the eight-year old Keoki finished with eight faults in the first round and 12 faults in the second. Waterford’s Anthony Condon and Balzac were the discard score first time out but jumped a brilliant clear in the final round to seal Ireland’s third place finish.

Irish Chef d’Equipe in Gijon, Taylor Vard said:

“It was a great comeback from the lads and we are really thrilled with the second round performance. Shane’s horse jumped two fantastic clear rounds. Cameron had an excellent second round and Anthony finished it off brilliantly with a clear when last to go. I want to thank all the riders and most importantly the owners. This was always a building exercise and we come away from here adding to our strength in depth with some new combinations for next year.”

France took home the winners prize when finishing on just four faults ahead of The Netherlands in second of nine teams on eight faults. Canada finished fourth behind Ireland, with Britain fifth, Mexico sixth followed by Germany, Spain and Egypt.

Gijon was not part of the European Division 1 Nations Cup series which finished at Dublin at the start of August. Ireland, who were last weekend crowned European champions at Gothenburg in Sweden, now prepare for the Nations Cup world final which takes place at Barcelona in Spain on the last weekend in September.

Gijon Nations Cup – Irish team scores
Shane Breen & Ipswich Van De Wolfsakker – owned by Breen Equestrian, Jos Lansink & Konstantin Pysarenko 0/0
David Simpson with Keoki – owned by Julia Cruden 8/(12)
Cameron Hanley with Quirex – owned by Patrick Mielnik 4/0
Anthony Condon with Balzac – owned by Anthony Condon & Kat Taylor (12)/0
Team total 12 faults

The Irish senior Show Jumping team is sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange and Devenish.
Equiline – Official athlete clothing supplier of Team Ireland Equestrian