Ireland wins first leg of Furusiyya Nations Cup

Ireland has won the first leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup 2015 series in Florida, despite fielding a team of ‘unknown’ horses.

Nations Cup

Far from favourites to win, it was the first Nations Cup for all four horses. However, the Irish contingent led from the off with clear rounds from Conor Swaill, Darragh Kenny, Kevin Babington and Lorcan Gallagher – who also made his senior team debut.

The team came under pressure second time out, when Darragh had two down riding Picolo, while Lorcan added another four faults to their tally with Diktator van de Boslandhoev. However, Kevin (Shorapur) and Conor (Grafton) both produced another clear to hold on to their lead, with a final score of four faults.

Under pressure

“These horses are unknown at this level, so if I can get one or two of them to come to Europe and jump in division one that would be great,” said Robert Splaine, Irish chef d’equipe.

“I would like to mention Lorcan who did an absolutely fantastic job, he was the man of the match!”

Lorcan is based in Florida with Shane Sweetnam who loaned him the horse for the competition. “I grew up watching Robert [Splaine] ride, and it’s a dream being here” said the 23-year-old.

Competing on home turf, the USA’s top team ofBeezie Madden, Lauren Hough, Georgina Bloomberg and Laura Kraut hadto settle for runner-up spot with eight faults. Canada and Columbia shared third place.

Second leg

The second leg of the Nations Cup was in Abu Dhabi (19 February), which was the only Furusiyya qualifier for the Middle East. Qatar took the top spot with five faults, earning both a place at the final and a qualifying spot for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Ukraine was second (19 faults) while Egypt was third (21 faults) and France fourth (23 faults). Saudi Arabia, who finished fifth, took the second qualifying spot for the final in Barcelona in September.