Ireland win EEF Nations Cup in Bratislava

  • 9 June 2023, 22:25

Team Manager Taylor Vard and his team of Harry Allen, Jason Foley, Comdt. Geoff Curran and Thomas Ryan after their win in Bratislava

The Underwriting Exchange Irish Show Jumping Team won the EEF Longines Nations Cup in Bratislava last night.

Taylor Vard’s team of Harry Allen, Jason Foley, Comdt. Geoff Curran and Thomas Ryan jumped brilliantly in the purpose-built arena within a football stadium to top the podium.

On a thrilling evening under lights, Allen led the way for Ireland jumping double clear riding Quin Yu Pang’s Calculatus, with Foley matching his teammate on board Oscar V/H Hulstenhof, owned by Bruntwood Stables Bvba.

It all came down to Ryan and Di Cantera van ter Hulst Z, owned by CKFD SA with Ireland needing one more clear round to seal the victory.

Coolness personified, Ryan was imperious on his mount, never touching a pole to take home the win for Ireland.

Having finished second following a jump-off last time out behind The Netherlands in Drammen, hopes were high coming into the competition this evening despite torrential rain scuppering the Irish team’s chances of schooling under the floodlights last night, but Allen, Foley, Curran and Ryan were brilliant throughout, with five clear rounds from eight.

Austria and hosts Slovakia filled the podium, with both nations finishing on five faults, just one behind Ireland, who added no penalties in round two, having been on four at the halfway stage.

“We’re obviously delighted with the win,” said Comdt. Curran. “This is a lovely show and we’re very happy to be here, but to win is the icing on the cake.”

Allen, who was in sensational form throughout, said: “The arena is absolutely amazing, the horses come to life and there’s a lot to look at, but it suited my horse perfectly.

“The course builder did a very good job, it was very fair and I’m very happy with my horse – he’s quite green at this level so I’m very impressed with him.”

The Underwriting Exchange Irish Show Jumping Squad competing in Bratislava, Slovakia, is;
* Harry Allen with Calculatus, owned by Quin Yu Pang
* Comdt. Geoff Curran with Tempo Manor (ISH), owned by the Minister for Defence
* Jason Foley with Oscar V/H Hulstenhof, owned by Bruntwood Stables Bvba
* Thomas Ryan with Di Cantera van ter Hulst Z, owned by CKFD SA.

BREEDING:
Tempo Manor (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) out of Roxy Lux (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeder: Noel Wright. Owner: Minister for Defence. Rider: Commandant Geoff Curran (IRL).

 
 
 

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