Brilliant Irish Show Jumping team claim Olympic qualification for Paris with fourth place finish at World Championships
On a night of high drama at the ECCO FEI World Show Jumping Championships in Herning, Denmark. an outstanding performance from Michael Blake’s Irish Show Jumping team of Denis Lynch, Bertram Allen, Cian O’Connor and Daniel Coyle, saw them take one of the five coveted places on offer for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Wexford’s Bertram Allen gave Ireland another huge boost when he jumped an outstanding clear round with The Irish Sport Horse Pacino Amiro. Those rounds from Lynch and Allen moved Ireland up five places to fourth with two riders left to jump for each of the 10 teams.
Sweden claimed a well-deserved team gold medal after finishing on a score of just 7.69. Netherlands took silver on 19.31 while Britain just pipped Ireland for bronze on 22.66. Ireland in fourth had a final score of 23.15, while Germany took the last Olympic qualifying place on a score of 24.76.
Ireland has three riders qualified for Sunday’s World Championship individual final, with Denis Lynch in 19th, Cian O’Connor in 20th and Bertram Allen in 21st place.
Irish team manager Michael Blake said:
“Obviously we are delighted to take an Olympic qualification place at the very first opportunity as it now gives us two full years to prepare for the Games. It is slightly bittersweet as we came so close to winning a medal. It certainly was an exciting competition and all our guys fought hard to climb from ninth overall and finish in the top four. Congratulations to Sweden, The Netherlands and Britain on their medal wins and to Germany for also qualifying for Paris. None of this would be possible without the incredible owners we have, the grooms, and all those that put so much work into a successful result and I want to thank each and every one of them.”
Horse Sport Ireland CEO Denis Duggan added:
“Huge congratulations to Michael Blake and his team on a fantastic performance at the World Championships and in gaining Olympic qualification. To qualify here at the very first opportunity against all of the top teams in the world, is hugely significant, as it gives us as much time as possible to prepare for Paris. I want also thank all of the owners of these horses that represent Ireland, the grooms, and all those working behind the scenes at home and here in Herning.”
Ireland’s team for the 2022 Ecco FEI Jumping World Championships:
Derry’s Daniel Coyle with Legacy – owned by Ariel Grange & Daniel Coyle; Groom: Greg Debie
Meath’s Cian O’Connor with C Vier 2 – owned by Susan Magnier; Groom: Mie Ostersen
Tipperary’s Denis Lynch with Brooklyn Heights – owned by Molly Ohrstrom; Groom: Gwendoline Bellamy
Wexford’s Bertram Allen with Pacino Amiro (ISH) – owned by Aidan McGrory; Groom: Lovisa Munter
BREEDING
Pacino Amiro (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Pacino (BWP) out of Carnone Dancing Queen (ISH) by NC Amiro (AES). Breeder: Simon Scott, Co. Donegal. Owner: Aiden McGrory. Rider: Bertram Allen (IRL).
The Irish Show Jumping team is sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange
Charles Ancona – Official athlete clothing supplier to HSI’s Senior Olympic programmes
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