The Underwriting Exchange Irish Show Jumping team secured an eighth-place finish at the Longines League of Nations final qualifying leg in Rotterdam this evening.

France delivered a flawless performance, finishing with zero faults across two rounds, claiming victory. Sweden followed in second place with four faults, while Great Britain secured third, also with a final total of four faults.

Despite the result, Ireland had already qualified for October’s final in Barcelona, having won the second leg in Ocala and finished runner-up in the opening leg in Abu Dhabi. With the Paris Olympics approaching, there was still much at stake. Ireland managed to secure the top spot at the end of the four-leg series.

Michael Blake, Horse Sport Ireland High Performance Show Jumping Director, commented, “It wasn’t our day today – we made mistakes at crucial times, and it cost us. That can happen; it’s top-level sport”.

Ireland started slowly in the Rotterdam rain, with Shane Sweetnam finishing with eight faults on RR Combella. The pair faced challenges at the water and the double but managed to jump the wall well.

Mark McAuley and his Irish Sport Horse GRS Lady Amaro faced pressure but delivered an exceptional performance, even after McAuley lost his stirrups late in the round, guiding his mount home without touching a pole.

Daniel Coyle and Legacy, bound for the Olympics, demonstrated their prowess with a flawless clear round. Cian O’Connor and Eve D’Ouilly faced a critical round where a clear round would place Ireland in a strong position, but a pole down at the last fence left Ireland in seventh place after round one.

For round two, Ireland’s trio of McAuley, Coyle, and O’Connor were selected, with Sweetnam and RR Combella stepping down.

McAuley’s round resulted in eight faults, putting pressure on Coyle and O’Connor. The slightly modified course caused problems, and despite a strong effort, Coyle and Legacy finished with four faults. O’Connor and Eve D’Ouilly retired after dropping two poles, concluding Ireland’s day with a disappointing finish.

It may have been one of those days but overall, we can be nothing bar happy. What a league, some incredible performances as a team and as individuals. As Michael Blake said “I’m thrilled to have finished on top of the league. It’s a significant achievement to see off the world’s best over a full series. We’ve traveled worldwide and ended up at the top of the table, so I’m very proud of everyone involved.”