Ireland’s showjumping team finished fourth in the Prague Nations Cup at the weekend.
Michael Blake’s team was made up of Galway’s Michael Duffy, Sligo’s Richard Howley, Mayo’s Michael G Duffy and Louth’s Mark McAuley.
Ireland looked to to have made a good start to the competition when Michael Duffy was clear approaching the last part of the course with Zilton SL Z. The 10-year-old gelding lost his footing on landing after the third last fence, meaning Duffy had to circle, picking up four jumping and four time faults as a result.
Sligo’s Richard Howley and Arlo De Blondel had 4 faults at the very last fence and a time fault.
Mayo’s Michael G Duffy with Lapuccino 2 (ISH) also finished with five faults.
Louth’s Mark McAuley with Jasco VD Bisschop delivered a vital clear which meant Ireland made the cut for the second round.
The second round saw Ireland improve. Duffy and Zilton SL Z finished with just a time fault second time out.
Howley and Arlo De Blondel lowered a single fence for 4 faults, with Michael G Duffy and The Irish Sport Horse Lapuccino 2 adding a clear.
McAuley completed his double clear performance with Jasco VD Bisschop, leaving Ireland on a final score of 11 faults. They finished just over a fence off winners Czech Republic who lifted the trophy on home soil on a final score of six faults. Denmark finished on eight faults to claim runner-up spot, while halfway leaders Belgium finished third on nine faults.
