Ireland has historic win in Boekelo Nations’ Cup

  • 11 October 2015, 15:34

IRELAND’S eventing team of Cathal Daniels, Jonty Evans, Padraig McCarthy
and Joseph Murphy achieved an historic win in the Netherlands this
afternoon when they delivered the first ever Irish FEI Eventing Nations’
Cup victory since the series began in 2012.

Holding the overnight lead at the three-star show in Boekelo after cross
country yesterday, the Irish team saw off strong challenges today from
the USA and New Zealand, who finished second and third respectively.

In a nail-biting finish today, with Ireland holding a marginal overnight
lead, Joseph Murphy and Westwinds Hercules were the only Irish
combination to finish the show jumping phase on a zero score.

Nineteen year-old Cathal Daniels, who had helped take Ireland into the
lead with a clear round in the cross country phase yesterday with
Rioghan Rua, returned with 12 faults, while Padraig McCarthy and Simon
Porloe had two fences down for eight faults. Jonty Evans on Cooley
Rorke’s Drift left all the poles up but incurred three time faults.

However, as the USA and New Zealand battled it out for silver and bronze
positions, Ireland’s lead gradually widened, and at the finish were a
decisive 22 penalty points ahead of second-placed USA, with New Zealand
settling for third.

Ten countries competed in the Nations’ Cup.

 

Afterwards, Eventing High Performance Manager Nick Turner said: “I am absolutely delighted for the team, who each showed great resolve and a determination to win the final leg on the Nations” Cup here in Boekelo. The win is as a result of great teamwork and focusing on delivering the best individual performances  in each phase.

“With areas that we can still improve on over the next 300 days in the build up to Rio, the goal of a podium finish at next years Olympic Games is looking very much within our sights!”

Ireland’s team at Boekelo were:

•Padraig McCarthy riding Simon Porloe (PZHK) 2000 bay gelding by Sofix
out of Babilonia by Czubaryk. Owner: Christopher & Sarita Perkins

•Cathal Daniels riding Rioghan Rua (ISH) 2007 chestnut mare by Jack Of
Diamonds (SWB) out of Highland Destiny (ISH), by Flagmount King (ID).
Owner/Bred by Margaret Kinsella, Co. Galway.

•Joseph Murphy riding Westwinds Hercules (ISH) – 2005 bay gelding by
Ramiro B (BWP) out of Westwinds Clover (ISH) by Porter Rhodes (TB).
Breeder: Alice Keogh. Owner: Alison Schmutz & Andrew Tinkler.

•Jonty Evans riding Cooley Rorkes Drift (ISH) – 2006 gelding by Courage
II (HOLST) out of Doon-A-Ree Lass (ISH), by Rachel Comet (TB). Breeder:
William McCarrison, Co. Down. Owner: Fiona Elliott.

Joseph Murphy - clear round for Ireland at Boekelo

Joseph Murphy – clear round for Ireland at Boekelo