Britain defends Ballindenisk Nations Cup title

Britain has won the second leg of the FEI Nations Cup Eventing at Ballindenisk, Ireland (26 April).

Surprise run-out

Defending their 2014 title, the team put in a ‘solid’ performance and, despite a surprise run-out in the cross-country, won with a final score of 143.4pen. The host nation was just behind in them second place (152.3pen), while France – who won at Fontainebleau last month – came third (159.3pen).

All four British riders went clear in the showjumping phase, but they nearly blew their chances when pathfinder Izzy Taylor incurred 20 cross-country penalties. KBIS Starchaser was distracted by another horse and glanced off a narrow fence.

This put pressure on the rest of the team, which included two first-time nations cup riders, Louise Harwood (Whitsun) and Georgie Strang (Cooley Business Time).

Step up

However, Georgie and Nicky Roncoroni (Stonedge) both came home clear and inside the optimum time, while Louise added just two time penalties to the overall score.

“Izzy usually finishes best of the team and everyone gets very used to her just going out and doing the business, so this was a good experience for the others,” said team manager Philip Surl. “They all had to step up to the mark and the competition went to the wire with Louise as anchor.

“Having put in such solid dressage and jumping performances, it would have been a pity to lose it on the cross-country, so it was a pleasing result and good to get a win in at this early stage of the season.”

Strong position

It was a good day for British eventers as Emilie Chandler, who was riding as an individual, won the CICO3* with Gino Royale. Ireland’s Sarah Ennis was second onboard Horseware Stellor Rebound, while Nicky Roncoroni came third.

This performance puts them in a strong position for the next FEI Nations Cup meeting, which is on home soil at Houghton International.