Three second-round clears secured victory for Ireland at the sixth leg of the Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ series in Falsterbo, Sweden this afternoon where the winning side’s Darragh Kerins and Night Train and French rider Olivier Guillon and Lord de Theize registered the only completely fault-free performances. It very nearly came down to yet another two-way jump-off against the clock to decide the winner, but the home team from Sweden had to settle for runner-up spot when anchorman Rolf-Goran Bengtsson’s inexperienced mare Kiara La Silla faulted in the closing stages.
Switzerland slotted into equal-third with France while the British and Dutch shared fifth spot and the USA finished seventh ahead of Germany in eighth. It was another dreadful day for the Italians who floundered after their opening partnership, Giovanni Principi and Jaguar, were eliminated. Their first-round tally of 72 faults seemed to put the final stamp on their relegation papers, and they were joined on the benches by the Belgians today, who also failed to make the cut into the eight-team second round.
Tested to the Limit
Frank Rothenberger’s track asked for plenty of jumping off short distances and the triple combination tested many to the limit, while the final double – a massive triple bar followed by a vertical with water tray – proved the bogey of the day. “The horses had their eye on the gate coming down to this one” explained Irish pathfinder Cameron Hanley afterwards, “and then when they turned to the fence they could see the water through the triple bar so they took their eye off that too – it was a really difficult one to ride” he added.