'What a day to be Irish'

One nation is looking stronger than ever, but there is disappointment for the Brits in a thrilling second leg of the new-look League of Nations

- SARAH RADFORD and JENNIFER DONALD

Longines League of Nations Ocala, World Equestrian Centre, Florida, USA 

IRELAND’s showjumpers are looking stronger than ever and a competitive quartet were on top of the world when winning the second leg of the Longines League of Nations (LLN).

Going one better than their runner-up spot in the series in Abu Dhabi last month, Ireland’s Florida-based squad of Darragh Kenny, Daniel Coyle, Shane Sweetnam and Cian O’Connor dominated from the outset, winning on a score of five, ahead of Switzerland who rocketed up the leaderboard in round two with a full house of clears, finishing with eight penalties.

USA and the Netherlands had held the lead with Ireland on a zero score after round one, but mistakes crept in for both sides during round two and each completed on 12; USA joined the podium ahead of the Dutch with a quicker time.

Ireland came out all guns blazing, with first-round clears from Darragh on Amsterdam 27, Daniel with Legacy and Shane riding Nations Cup debutant Otis Blue – a late replacement for an injured Bertram Allen – which meant that fourth rider Cian and new ride Maurice weren’t required to jump.

This combination proved a crucial part of the equation for the deciding leg however, as one of the trio picked by chef d’equipe Michael Blake.

With four faults collected at the midway double by pathfinder Darragh but with nothing to add from Daniel and Legacy, Cian carried the pressure that a single rail could cost them victory, potentially forcing a jump-off with USA.

But he and Pat Crean’s 12-year-old remained foot-perfect over the obstacles set by Alan Wade, just adding one time-fault, to seal a momentous victory for an ecstatic Irish side.

NO ROOM FOR ERROR