Not to be in Brussels Nations Cup as Ireland finish eighth

The Irish team of David Simpson, Michael Duffy, team manager Michael Blake, Cian O’Connor and Conor Swail. Pic: Sportfot

The Underwriting Exchange Irish Show Jumping team finished eighth in the Henders & Hazel Nations Cup of Brussels tonight.

Michael Blake’s quartet endured somewhat of a rollercoaster evening in Belgium, with high points being clear rounds for David Simpson and Pjotr Van de Kruishoeve, as well as Cian O’Connor with Fancy De Kergane.

Ultimately, the damage was done early as uncharacteristic rounds of 16 faults for Swail and Count Me In, as well as a 24-fault round from Duffy and Calypso Du Beaufour meant Blake’s men were always on the back foot.

Simpson’s round was particularly pleasing on Pjotr Van de Kruishoeve, proving why he has such a bright future, while Fancy De Kergane picked up where he left off in Dublin, adding another clear to his resume.

Sadly, however, an elimination for Swail and Count Me In, added to 4-fault rounds from Simpson, Duffy and O’Connor meant that Ireland totalled 32 in the end, and had to settle for eighth place.

Switzerland finished on top of the podium with 9 faults, hosts Belgium were second on 20 faults, with the Netherlands in third on 22 faults.