Ireland finished fifth at the CSIO5* Agria Falsterbo Nations Cup in Sweden this afternoon.
Jessica Kürten’s team of Darragh Kenny, Trevor Breen, Jordan Coyle and Shane Sweetnam scored a total of 12 faults, level with France but behind them on time, in a competitive event as preparations for the world championships next month continue.
Victory went to Switzerland following a jump-off with Belgium after both finished on a zero score, with the United States of America in third on eight faults.
There were plenty of positives for Kürten to take, notably a double clear effort from Kenny and Eddy Blue, and the Irish could arguably feel as though they were slightly unlucky not to podium.
Kenny was Ireland’s pathfinder and with his team drawn first to jump, it was crucial for the Offaly man to lead the way with Eddy Blue. The pair proved why they are so highly rated on the world stage with an imperious clear round, exactly the kind of start Kuerten would have wished for.
Breen and the ever-consistent Highland President picked up where they left off here last year off the back of their double clear by keeping the Irish on a zero score after another superb performance.
Coyle and Chaccolino were next in for the Green Jackets and were unlucky to have a solitary pole down before Sweetnam also tallied just four faults with Coriaan van Klapscheut Z. After what had been an excellent round of jumping, only a pole at the last came down as Ireland went into the break on a score of four.
Kenny repeated the feat in round two, his double clear keeping the team right in touch, however an uncharacteristic eight faults from Breen and Highland President left no room for error for Ireland’s remaining combinations.
In a repeat of his first effort, Coyle dropped the same pole as in round one en route for a four fault score and Sweetnam added four to the tally after dropping the Agria plank for an Irish total of 12 and a fifth-place finish, level on faults with France but behind on time.