Irish Show Jumping team finish second in Longines EEF Nations Cup of Slovakia

Michael Blake’s Irish Show Jumping team of Alexander Butler, David Simpson, Thomas Ryan and Trevor Breen have finished as runners-up in today’s Longines EEF Nations Cup at Bratislava in Slovakia, where Germany took the winners prize following a jump-off.

The opening round saw Irish clears from David Simpson with Medoc De Toxandria and Thomas Ryan with Springfield 21, along with a four fault round from Trevor Breen with Germaine W. Ireland were one of five teams on a four fault score at the halfway stage, while the lead was held by Germany, Belgium and Switzerland who were all on a zero score.

Having been the discard score in the opening round, Alexander Butler and Eindhoven G.H recovered brilliantly to post a clear second round. Butler’s clear set the tone for a flawless second round performance from the Irish. David Simpson and Thomas Ryan completed double clear rounds before Trevor Breen also jumped a clear second round to leave Ireland on a two round total of four faults.

As the competition progressed, Germany were to be the only team that could finish on a zero score but when their final rider knocked a fence, a jump-off against Ireland was to be the decider. Alexander Butler and Eindhoven G.H were selected to go in the jump-off for Ireland however they finished with nine faults. German rider Sophie Hinners clinched victory for her team with a four-fault round aboard Million Dollar while Switzerland finished third of the 11 teams that took part.

The Irish Show Jumping team is sponsored by Devenish and The Underwriting Exchange.
Equiline – Official athlete clothing supplier of Horse Sport Ireland

Longines EEF Series
The Longines EEF Series is a Show Jumping Nations Cup circuit created by the European Equestrian Federation which replaced the FEI Nations Cup Europe Division 2. Ireland is a Europe Division 1 nation but can field teams in selected EEF Series rounds.