Ireland, European Show Jumping champions sixteen years later!

Ireland was crowned European Show Jumping champion for the second time in its history Friday night at the 2017 Longines FEI European Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden. The country had previously prevailed at the competition in 2001 in Arnhem, the Netherlands thanks to Kevin Babington, Jessica Kürten, Peter Charles and Dermott Lennon. This year, the squad of chef d’equipe Rodrigo Pessoa, Shane Sweetnam, Denis Lynch and Cian O’Connor, held on even while competing one man down after Bertram Allen’s fall Thursday — pulling off three clear rounds with not a pole down.

“The lads were brilliant, every one of them,” Allen said afterwards. “We didn’t have any room for mistakes. I had one bad round and it was over, so I think it was absolutely amazing to do that today, to pull out three clears and each one better than the other!” 

Indeed, the Irish secured their victory with impressive composure, in contrast with home side Sweden, riding in front of their supporters at Ullevi stadium. Malin Baryard-Johnsson retired from the course, while Douglas Lindelöw had some costly mistakes. Fortunately for the Swedes, Henrik von Eckermann and above all Peder Fredricson, who maintains his clear score for the Individual competition, did enough to assure the country’s second place on the podium.

For its part, Switzerland blew hot and cold, but finished by snatching the bronze away from the Belgians. Bravo to Martin Fuchs in particular, the author of a fantastic double clear. Fuchs carried the Swiss on this occasion, a team also made up of top riders Steve Guerdat, Romain Duguet and Nadia Peter-Steiner. The country’s medal was very merited, although undoubtedly a difficult pill to swallow for Belgium, who narrowly missed out on third place with their talented team. The championships continue though Sunday.