Ireland finish second in Aga Khan, Switzerland triumph

The Irish team of Michael Duffy, Michael Pender, Cian O’Connor, and Shane Sweetnam have claimed a runner-up finish in the Longines FEI Nations Cup of Ireland for the Aga Khan trophy at the RDS in Ballsbridge.

In the run-up to the event, there was a feeling that it would boil down to a shootout between Ireland and Switzerland, and that was how it transpired.

Unlike last year, Ireland had to settle for a creditable second place finish behind an impeccable Swiss performance.

Drawn fifth to jump out of the eight teams, Ireland knew the task in hand, especially with their main rivals starting the competition with the advantage of being drawn last to go.

The first Irish rider and making his Aga Khan debut was Galway’s Michael Duffy riding Cinca 3.

Duffy got Ireland off to a strong start, a toe in the water-jump leaving him on four faults, but certainly a debut round to be proud of.

Another Aga Khan debutant, Michael Pender was next in for Ireland riding the Irish Sport Horse HHS Calais (ISH). The same water jump caused Pender also to finish on four faults.

A member of the winning team last year, and also in 2015, 2012 and 2004, Cian O’Connor was Ireland’s third line rider, partnering nine-year-old mare Eve D’Ouilly. The third part of the combination was the only pole to fall for O’Connor, leaving Ireland on a team score of eight faults after the first three riders.

Shane Sweetnam and the Irish Sport Horse James Kann Cruz (ISH) were the anchors for the Irish team, and the grey gelding rose to the occasion.

A clear was needed and was duly delivered. The home crowd came to life as the Corkman riding an Irish Sport Horse did the business, jumping a faultless round.

After the first round the Swiss team held the lead with three clear rounds