Irish Show Jumping team stage second round comeback to claim runner-up finish after thrilling Aachen Nations Cup in Germany

A brilliant second round comeback has seen Rodrigo Pessoa’s Ireland finish as runners-up after a thrilling Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup tonight (Thursday) at Aachen in Germany.

Rodrigo Pessoa with his Irish team after they claimed a runner-up finish in the prestigious Aachen Nations Cup

Ireland were in fifth place at the halfway stage on five faults thanks to a clear round from Mayo’s Cameron Hanley with the nine-year-old Quirex, a single time fault from Shane Sweetnam (Chaqui Z) and a four fault score from Cian O’Connor with Good Luck.

The second round saw Sweetnam again finish with just a time fault, before Darragh Kenny riding Babalou boosted Irish hopes with a clear round. A vital clear from Irish anchorman O’Connor saw Ireland finish on a two round total of six faults – overtaking Belgium, Switzerland and Netherlands to take second place.

Victory went to Germany in front of their ecstatic home fans, after Otto Becker’s team finished just ahead of Ireland on four faults. Netherlands finished in third with nine faults, followed by Switzerland, USA, Belgium, France and Italy.

Ireland return to Nations Cup action next weekend at Hickstead in the UK before their home Nations Cup for the Aga Khan trophy on Friday August 10th.

Irish team scores
Shane Sweetnam with Chaqui Z – owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC 1/1
Darragh Kenny with Babalou – owned by Jack Snyder (12)/0
Cameron Hanley with Quirex – owned by Patrick Mielnik 0/(8)
Cian O’Connor with Good Luck – owned by Adena Springs 4/0

The Irish Show Jumping Team is sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange and Devenish
Equiline – Official athlete clothing supplier of Team Ireland Equestrian