Irish eventing team earn thrilling third in SAP Cup

Irish equestrian athletes continued a superb week at the Aachen Arena in Germany, with the eventing team of Sam Watson, Ian Cassells, Austin O'Connor and Joseph Murphy taking third place on the podium in the SAP Cup.

Ireland were in fifth place after Friday’s dressage and show jumping phases and climbed two places to third after a strong performance in the final cross country phase on Saturday to finish on a final score of 138.000. Great Britain claimed victory on 112.800 ahead of USA in second on 123.700.

Cassells was best of the Irish individually with Millridge Atlantis (ISH) taking 11th place just ahead of Murphy in 12th with Calmaro. Watson finished in 23rd with Ballyneety Rocketman (ISH), with O’Connor 34th aboard Isazsa.

The excellent result keeps Ireland’s momentum going ahead of the Paris Olympic Games, with the team having won the home Nations Cup at Millstreet earlier this summer.

Ireland now travel to Paris with plenty of confidence following recent results, and hopes will be high for more success in the French capital.