Ireland claim silver at European jumping championship

The Irish show jumping team has win the silver medal at the FEI Jumping European Championship in Milan.

Michael Blake's quartet of Michael Duffy, Trevor Breen, Shane Sweetnam and Eoin McMahon began the team final in fourth place but with less than a time fault separating them and leaders Germany.

Following his successful Aga Khan Trophy debut at the Dublin Horse Show last month, Galway’s Michael Duffy was first into the arena for Ireland.

Riding the 14-year-old grey mare Cinca 3, owned by Hibernia Sport Horses Ltd. Duffy had already jumped two clear rounds on Wednesday and Thursday and he delivered yet another clear round to get Ireland off to the perfect start.

Overnight leaders Germany did not have the same luck as their first line rider Marcus Ehning withdrew from competition. The final fence also fell for Henrik von Eckermann of second-placed Sweden. A clear round from Steve Guerdat got third-placed Switzerland off to a strong start.

Trevor Breen was next in for Ireland with Heather Black’s Highland President. The Tipperary native and the 11-year-old gelding were unlucky to roll the final part of the combination but the result was enough to move Ireland up a notch on the leader board.

At the half way stage Ireland were in bronze medal position as Germany dropped to fourth following a fence down for Philipp Weishaupt.

Sweden moved to the top of the leaderboard following an excellent clear from Wilma Hellström. Switzerland held second but two fences down from Bryan Balsiger meant the pressure was on for the remaining two Swiss riders.

Cork’s Shane Sweetnam and the Irish Sport Horse James Kann Cruz, owned by Gizmo Partners LLC, were unlucky to add four faults to their total following an excellent clear round yesterday.

Sweden