The Underwriting Exchange Irish Show Jumping team finished in second place in the FEI Longines League of Nations this afternoon in Abu Dhabi. In a thrilling finish following two exhilarating rounds of action, Michael Blake’s team were pipped at the post by Germany, the Irish finishing on a final score of 12 faults. The Germans were just one pole down in front, winning on eight faults, with Sweden in third on a total of 20. Going into the competition ranked as the number one team in the world, Ireland started brilliantly, with clear rounds from Richard Howley on board Equine America Consulet de Prelet Z, Mikey Pender with HHS Calais (ISH) and Mark McAuley on GRS Lady Amaro (ISH). Denis Lynch’s four faults with Cordial were Ireland’s discard score. Heading into the second round at the top of the leaderboard, Blake chose Howley, Pender and McAuley as Ireland’s three riders, […]
