The Underwriting Exchange Irish Jumping Team came within a whisker of winning the Longines League of Nations Final in Barcelona on Sunday, missing out to Olympic champions Britain by just 0.23 seconds in a dramatic jump-off.
After two rollercoaster rounds of world-class competition, nothing separated Michael Blake’s Ireland and Great Britain, with both nations tied on 16 faults. It came down to a showdown between Billy Twomey on Jumping Jack Van De Kalevellai and Britain’s Scott Brash with Hello Jefferson.
Twomey produced a brilliant clear in 38.42 seconds, piling the pressure on Brash. The Scot responded with a flawless round of his own, shaving less than a quarter of a second off Ireland’s time to snatch victory. Defending champions Germany had to settle for third on 21 faults.
For Blake, it was the narrowest of defeats at the end of an era. His eight-year tenure as Ireland’s High Performance Manager officially concludes on Monday.
“It really would have been perfect to go out with a win – especially in a competition like this,” said an emotional Blake. “To be beaten in a jump-off by less than a quarter of a second is tough, but my overwhelming feeling is one of pride. We gave it everything.”
Blake reflected on a glittering spell in charge: “I’ve had an incredible run with so many highlights – our Aga Khan win, European Championship medals, Nations Cup victories in Rome, Aachen, La Baule, Ocala, Abu Dhabi and Spruce Meadows, and of course European gold in Gothenburg with Rodrigo Pessoa. It’s been the greatest honour to wear the green jacket.”
From Seventh to the Brink of Glory
Ireland’s day had not begun like a fairytale. After round one, they sat seventh of nine nations, but the standings told only part of the story. The margins were razor-thin, with time the only difference between Ireland and second-placed Germany. The Netherlands led on four faults, while Ireland’s anchor pair, Twomey and Jumping Jack, were unlucky to clip the final plank.
Consistency proved Ireland’s hallmark. Mikey Pender (HHS Los Angeles) and Sean Monaghan (Toyger) both delivered four-fault rounds, Twomey added another four, while Bertram Allen (Quonquest De Rigo) provided a vital clear.
The momentum carried into round two. Allen produced a sparkling double clear, Twomey and Monaghan each added four faults, and Ireland surged up the leaderboard to force the jump-off.
Pride in Barcelona
“Huge congratulations to the Irish team led by Michael Blake on today’s fantastic result,” said Horse Sport Ireland CEO Denis Duggan.
“Against the world’s best, our riders and horses did their country proud. I would also like to thank The Underwriting Exchange for their ten years of sponsorship, and Michael for his outstanding leadership. The programme is in a very strong position thanks to his work.”
Stephen O’Connor, Chairman of The Underwriting Exchange, whose wife Catherine owns Toyger, echoed that pride.
“It was a massive team effort all week. Billy was foot-perfect in the jump-off, and Sean stepped up brilliantly in such an arena. Everyone should be proud. Michael has overseen exceptional results and leaves Irish show jumping in a great place.”
O’Connor also confirmed that although Ireland just missed the €5,000 grooms’ bonus awarded to the winning nation, The Underwriting Exchange would honour it anyway.
“As it came down to a jump-off, we are delighted to close our sponsorship period by paying the bonus to the Irish grooms. Well done to Anna, Asia, Lovisa, and especially Kim, who works with Toyger.”
For Michael Blake, there was no fairytale ending – but Ireland’s riders, owners, grooms, and fans could take huge pride in a performance that came within the blink of an eye of being historic.
Image Credit: FEI and Leanjo de Koster. via Horse Sport Ireland
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