Mistakes costly as Ireland finish seventh in Paris team final

Daniel Coyle of Team Ireland, on Legacy, during the jumping team final at the Château de Versailles during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

There was disappointment for the Underwriting Exchange Irish Show Jumping at the Palace of Versailles today in Paris, as they had to settle for a seventh place finish.

After an unprecedented season of success that had produced 11 Nations Cup podium results from combinations selected by Horse Sport Ireland’s High Performance Show Jumping Director Michael Blake, including a couple of five-star triumphs in Florida and Aachen, hopes were high that an historic first team show jumping medal was in reach.

After qualifying comfortably for the final yesterday, a testing 1.65m course over 525m was welcomed by Blake and his squad of riders, Shane Sweetnam, Daniel Coyle and Cian O’Connor but despite a second stunning clear round by Coyle and his 14-year-old mare Legacy, it wasn’t to be.

Victory went to Great Britain on just two time penalties, with USA taking silver and hosts France the bronze medal.

“Not our day,” was Blake’s reaction to Ireland’s tally of 14 penalties and seventh place. “Congratulations to the teams who won medals – it goes to show the fine margins and ultimately the level of performance required to win at an Olympic Games.

“We were a little on the back foot from early but Daniel showed just how good he and Legacy are with a brilliant round, and Maurice probably just wasn’t himself today.

“The three horses and the three riders have been brilliant for us all season – they’re a pleasure to work with – and the camaraderie between the whole team this week has been brilliant to see.

“Like I said, not our day. But we’ll dust ourselves down, there’s plenty left to play for on the horizon. The Aga Khan is two weeks away and we’ve the Longines League of Nations Final to come too, plus some major Nations Cups, so we’ll be back stronger than ever.”

Shane Sweetnam of Team Ireland riding James Kann Cruz during the jumping team final at the Château de Versailles during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Sweetnam, from Castlemagner, Co Cork, was the Irish pathfinder with his outstanding Galway-bred James Kann Cruz (ISH) and looked set for a foot-perfect clear round but the most minute of rubs led to a pole dropping in slow-motion fashion at the last, with a time fault adding salt to the wounds for a five-fault tally.

“It’s a difficult course, as we can see by the fact we’re quite deep into it and there’s still no clear rounds within the time,” said Sweetnam after his round.

“I think it was cheap, I’m not sure, it fell a little bit late. I took a stride less than most had been doing and normally that’s good for us but it could be costly. But he jumped great and hopefully the lads can jump some good rounds and we can stay in the hunt.”

He was followed in by Coyle and Legacy – who had jumped clear for Ireland in qualifying yesterday, and the pair produced another scintillating effort, coming home error free and within the time to keep Ireland just a pole off then leaders Great Britain, in fourth place.

“Unbelievable – absolutely incredible,” said the man from Ardmore, Co Derry after his sensational round.

“I’m heartbroken for Shane. When you’re out that early those things can happen and it’s such a shame for him but hopefully Cian can deliver. To jump double clear at the Olympics is just a dream come true.

“She was a little more tired in there today – as was I – there hasn’t been much sleeping done over the last day or two and I’ll be glad of the couple of days break now before the individual on Monday.

“She jumps her heart out every single time for me, so if that ain’t good enough I don’t want anymore. It means so much to her owner Ariel Grange – obviously it’s the Olympics but she’s been such a huge supporter of mine and of Legacy’s and hopefully she’ll have more to cheer about.”

Cian O’Connor of Team Ireland, on Maurice, during the jumping team final at the Château de Versailles during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

That led to a reclassification and a new running order, with Ireland’s anchor Cian O’Connor jumping fourth-last after the break, just outside the medals. At that point, the medal positions were occupied by Great Britain on one, hosts France on three and the United States on four.

O’Connor has anchored Ireland to countless major victories but the 2012 individual Olympic bronze medallist from Kill, Co Kildare, but now based in Co Meath, had to settle for nine faults on Maurice.

“It’s a tough day,” said O’Connor. We’re at the pinnacle of our sport and it shows the fine lines at this level.

“We had good plans, but it’s a big arena with very unique fences – my lad has been jumping great all year and today just wasn’t his day. But there’s a lot of people who put so much work in. From Horse Sport Ireland to our own teams at home and the support staff here in Versailles.

“We’ll dust ourselves down now, we’ve a few days off now and make sure our horses are ok. That’s the main thing – we’ll come again.”

BREEDING
CSF JAMES KANN CRUZ (ISH) – 2013 gelding by Kannan (KWPN) out of CSF Telly Cruz (ISH) by Cruising (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Patrick Connolly, Co Galway. Owner: Gizmo Partners, LLC. Rider: Shane Sweetnam (IRL).