Kilkenny’s Ryan the star as Ireland claim runner-up spot in British Nations Cup

The Irish Show Jumping team scored a runner-up finish in Friday’s Longines FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain at Hickstead in the UK, with the stand-out Irish performance coming from Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan and the Irish-bred gelding BBS McGregor (ISH) who jumped a brilliant double clear round.

Hickstead was hosting the penultimate leg of the 2023 FEI Nations Cup series and Ireland were in need of a good result to boost their chances of qualifying for the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona later this year.

Ireland were drawn first to jump in the opening round and Tipperary’s Shane Breen with Cuick Star Kervec were first into the arena and picked up eight faults.

The next two Irish riders both partnered Irish-bred horses and they both delivered perfect clear rounds.

Louth’s Mark McAuley with his own GRS Lady Amaro (ISH), bred by Denis Hickey, were Ireland’s first clear and this was quickly followed by another clear from Jack Ryan from Inistioge, Co Kilkenny with BBS McGregor (ISH), owned and bred by Marguerite Ryan. Daniel Coyle with Legacy were Ireland’s anchor combination and one fence down for the Derry rider saw Ireland complete the first round on a four fault score to share the lead with hosts Britain and France at the halfway stage.

The second round saw Breen repeat his first round score of eight faults with Cuick Star Kervec.

Mark McAuley and GRS Lady Amaro (ISH) were unfortunately eliminated, meaning all scores would count from Ireland’s two remaining riders.

Twenty-one-year-old Jack Ryan and the Irish-bred BBS McGregor (ISH) completed an outstanding double clear round and with Britain forging ahead, Ireland were then in a battle with France for runner-up spot.

Daniel Coyle and Legacy delivered a clear round as last to jump and that ensured the Irish would take runner-up spot and vital league points.

Great Britain claimed victory on home soil for the first time in 13 years with a final score of just four faults. Ireland finished second on 12 faults with France finishing third of the eight teams on 16 faults.

“This was a great performance from the Irish team,” said Alison Corbally, Director General of the Irish Horse Board. “It was fantastic to see two of the four horses selected by team manager Michael Blake were bred in Ireland.

“For Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan to jump double clear in a five-star Nations Cup on a horse owned and bred by his mum Marguerite Ryan is very special.”

The result has moved Ireland up to fourth place on the Longines FEI Nations Cup Europe Division 1 league table, with Ireland’s last opportunity to score points coming in the Aga Khan at the Dublin Horse Show on Friday, August 11.

The top seven teams on the league table will qualify for the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, Spain.

BREEDING:
BBS McGregor (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Cardento (HOLST) out of Random Chance (ISH) by Mark Twain (TB). Breeder and Owner: Marguerite Ryan, Co. Kilkenny. Rider: Jack Ryan (IRL).

GRS Lady Amaro (ISH) – 2013 mare by Amaretto Darco (BWP) out of Legal Lady (TB) by Over The River (TB). Breeder: Denis Hickey, Co. Wexford. Owner: S.N.C McAuley. Rider: Mark McAuley (IRL).