THE Irish show jumping team have qualified for the Longines EEF Nations Cup final following and excellent third place finish in Friday’s semi final at Deauville in France. Taylor Vard’s team of Thomas Ryan, Jessica Burke, Kevin Gallagher and Jenny Rankin finished the two rounds of jumping with just four faults.

Tipperary’s Thomas Ryan with Springfield 21, owned by H3K Equestrian AB and Sligo’s Kevin Gallagher with Ballypatrick Flamenco (ISH), owned by Greg Broderick, both jumped foot-perfect double clear rounds. Galway’s Jessica Burke with Namamia, owned by Liam Nicholas and Tyrone’s Jenny Rankin with Carmela Z, owned by Vanessa Mannix were also clear in the first round.

A jump-off was needed to decide the winners with Belgium coming out on top ahead of Spain in second and Ireland in third. The remaining qualifying places for the EEF Nations Cup final went to Sweden and Portugal. Five more teams can qualify for the final at next weekend’s Budapest Nations Cup in Hungary.

Longines EEF Series

The Longines EEF Series is a Show Jumping Nations Cup circuit created by the European Equestrian Federation which replaced the FEI Nations Cup Europe Division 2. Ireland is a Europe Division 1 nation but can field teams in selected EEF Series rounds.

Breeding details

Ballypatrick Flamenco (ISH) – 2010 gelding by Je T’Aime Flamenco (BWP) out of Cruise Leaf (ISH)[TIH] by Cruising (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Noel Cawley, Co. Kildare. Owner: Greg Broderick (GBBS Int. Ltd.). Rider: Kevin Gallagher (IRL).

Source: Horse Sport Ireland press release