Ireland’s Ponies win first Nations Cup under new bosses Denis Flannelly and Liz Brennan

The Irish Pony team of Lily Tunney, Cian McMunn, Sam Widger and Charlie Flynn, with team manager Denis Flannelly. Picture: Seale Transport Show Team

Denis Flannelly and Liz Brennan’s tenure at the head of Horse Sport Ireland’s new youth show jumping programme got off to a spectacular winning start this afternoon as Ireland won the Ponies Nations Cup in Sentower Park.

The team of Lily Tunney with Correli Clover, Sam Widger with Western Ranger, Cian McMunn with Kandide Van Seven Oaks, Charlie Flynn with Hk Zena and Juliette McIntosh with Dunard Trixie Mix saw off some of Europe’s best nations, finishing on a total of 6 faults ahead of runners up Netherlands on 8 faults and France on 9 faults.

Widger has been in sparkling form all week having already won a 1.25m CSIOP class on Little Smithie, and he delivered a sublime double clear in the Nations Cup to form the bedrock of Ireland’s success.

His teammates all made major contributions to the victory as the chasing pack continued to apply pressure on the Irish team, but they held their nerve and delivered a maiden success for Flannelly and Brennan.

A delighted Flannelly said: “This is absolutely fantastic and it gets our Nations Cup weekend off to the best possible start. The team have been superb and they really showed their class out there today – I couldn’t be happier.

“We really needed to be at our best because the Dutch and French were hot on our tails with multiple clears in the second round and it is testament to Lily, Sam, Cian and Charlie that they never wilted under the pressure.

“I must thank Liz and all the staff and parents for their support this week – there has been an excellent team spirit here in Sentower and hopefully we can continue like this.”

Ireland led from the start of proceedings and were in front at the break after three clear rounds for a score of 0, with France their closest pursuers on 5 faults.

There was little room for error in round two as the Dutch in particular went error free as Ireland sat on a score of 2 time faults with just McMunn and Flynn to jump. McMunn knew he could afford one pole down and he delivered what was required to bring home the victory.