Irish Show Jumping team finish eighth in FEI Nations Cup Final as Belgium take victory

Michael Blake’s Irish Show Jumping team of Andrew Bourns, Trevor Breen, Mikey Pender and Jack Ryan, have finished in eighth place overall in today’s (Sunday) 2022 Longines FEI Nations Cup Final at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain.

Ireland had taken their place among teams that qualified for the final following a runner-up finish in the first qualifier in Barcelona on Thursday.

Galway’s Andrew Bourns was first to go for Ireland with Sea Topblue (ISH), owned by Andrew Bourns & QBS Equestrian LLC. They were clear up until fence 11 where they picked up four faults and two further fences down on the way home saw them finish with 12 faults. It was a similar story for Ireland’s second combination, Tipperary’s Trevor Breen with Highland President owned by Heather Black. They jumped clear over the opening half of the course but would come home with 16 faults in total.

Mikey Pender and The Irish Sport Horse HHS Calais jumped clear for Ireland in the 2022 FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona

Kildare’s Mikey Pender, who celebrated his 23rd birthday this weekend in Barcelona, then produced a hugely impressive clear round with The Irish Sport Horse HHS Calais, owned by Bravo Hughes Ltd. Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan was last to go with The Irish Sport Horse BBS McGregor (ISH) owned by Marguerite Ryan, and they finished with 8 faults, with Ireland completing on a final score of 20 faults.

Victory, and the one Olympic qualifying place on offer, went to Belgian after a brilliant display that saw them finish as the only team on a zero score. France finished as runners-up while third place went to Switzerland. Ireland had already qualified for Paris at this years FEI World Championships in Herning (DEN).

BREEDING
Sea Topblue (ISH) – 2011 gelding by Chacco Blue (MECKL) out of Sea Top Lady (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeders: James & John Meade, Co. Clare. Owner: Andrew Bourns & QBS Equestrian. Rider: Andrew Bourns (IRL).

HHS Calais (ISH) – 2011 gelding by Cavalier Royale (HOLST) out of MHS OBOS Cruise (ISH) by OBOS Quality (OLD). Breeder: Ita Brennan, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Bravo Hughes Ltd. Rider: Michael Pender (IRL).

BBS McGregor (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Cardento (HOLST) out of Random Chance (ISH) by Mark Twain (TB) bred and owned by Marguerite Ryan ridden by Jack Ryan.

The Irish Show Jumping team is sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange

Charles Ancona – Official athlete clothing supplier to HSI’s Senior Olympic programmes