Fantastic Cross Country performance sees Ireland finish third in Aachen Eventing Nations Cup

A brilliant performance in this morning’s (Saturday) final Cross Country phase has seen Sally Corscadden’s Irish Eventing team finish third overall in the SAP Eventing Nations Cup at CHIO Aachen in Germany.

Ireland had been in sixth place after Dressage and rose to fourth following Friday afternoon’s Show Jumping. When Elizabeth Power with Azure (ISH), Joseph Murphy with Calmaro and Cathal Daniels with Rioghan Rua (ISH) all jumped clear Cross Country with just time penalties, Ireland climbed another place to finish third overall on a score of 127.20.
Britain took victory on 116.2, just ahead of USA who finished second on 116.5. New Zealand were fourth on 129.5 with Germany fifth (171.3) and France sixth (186.8).

Elizabeth Power finished best of the Irish individually in 9th place (39.4) while Cathal Daniels took 13th (41.7) and Joseph Murphy 17th (46.1). Sam Watson and Ballybolger Talisman (ISH) finished in 35th (81.0) while individual rider Alex Donoghue and Kilcandra Bonnie Reward (ISH) took 31st place (70.1).

Speaking afterwards, Irish Eventing Team Manager Sally Corscadden was delighted to finish on the podium.

“I’m really pleased with our performance in Aachen, particularly in the Cross Country phase and we were strong in the Show Jumping. We had some younger horses here so it is very promising for the future. Superb Cross Country rounds put us in a very very competitive position and it was very exciting to get on the podium and beat strong countries such as New Zealand, Germany and France.

“Overall in the Dressage although we were a bit behind and a bit green in their way of going their was good progression and their test riding is improving. It was a great experience also for Alex Donoghue – her first time abroad in a long time. She rode a brilliant Cross Country round. It’s also great to see Susie Berry is lying in sixth place after Cross Country in Blenheim and we wish her the very best of luck tomorrow in the Show Jumping.”