IRELAND FINISHES FIFTH AT AACHEN EVENTING NATIONS’ CUP

ON just their second year of competition at the prestigious Aachen Eventing Nations’ Cup in Germany, Ireland finished in a very creditable fifth place today (Saturday) after completion of the cross country phase by the Irish quartet of Jayne Doherty, Fraser Duffy, Joseph Murphy and Camilla Speirs.

Moving up from overnight seventh in the three-star event, the team saw Camilla Speirs and the Irish Sport Horse Portersize Just a Jiff deliver a great cross country performance, jumping 16 places to finish in individual 17th, while Fraser Duffy, making his Nations’ Cup debut for Ireland, improved by nine places after yesterday’s show jumping phase to finish in individual 26th on Primus.

Joseph Murphy and the Irish Sport Horse Electric Cruise dropped back to 28th after cross country, while Jayne Doherty and Ravenstar were one of five international combinations to suffer elimination on the cross country phase. 

Nick Turner, Ireland’s Eventing High Performance Manager, said afterwards: “Camilla Speirs and Fraser Duffy put in very good performances to help the team secure fifth place. Aachen is a great opportunity to give horses and riders exposure to a championship atmosphere and we would like to thank the organisers for inviting us, and congratulate them for hosting a great show.”

Eight teams took part in the Eventing Nations’ Cup, with hosts Germany taking first place and Great Britain in second.

Fraser Duffy and Primus, making their irish Nations’ Cup team debut at Aachen. Picture: Xavier Boudon/Pixizone.com