It’s a month from St. Patrick’s Day, but the Irish had plenty to celebrate about show jumping over the weekend. The country’s team in Abu Dhabi won the first leg of the 2025 Longines League of Nations and Irish riders took the top four places in the FEI World Cup qualifier in Ocala. There’s a country with some depth.
The winning Irish team in Abu Dhabi: Michael Pender, Jason Foley, chef d’equipe Michale Blake, Denis Lynch, Trevor Breen (Photo ©FEI / Martin Dokoupil)
The squad of Dennis Lynch (Vistogrand), Trever Breen (Highland President), Michael Pender (HHS Los Angeles) and Jason Foley (with the first round drop score of two time penalties on Chedington Hazy Toulana) did not have a rail down in either round of the Cup, to finish 8 penalties ahead of the runners-up from the United Arab Emirates.
The U.S.team finished tenth of 11 countries and did not make the cut for the top eight to contest the second round. The U.S. riders were there to gain experience with only one veteran, Lucy Davis, in the line-up.
You’ll see a different, stronger contingent for the U.S. in the next leg of the League when it moves to Ocala in March.
Click on this link for results.
Meanwhile, Cian Connor didn’t make the trip to the Middle East, focusing on the World Cup qualifier with Bentley de Sury. Timed in 36.62 for the jump-off, he was double clear, like the Irish riders who followed him in the order of finish.
Cian O’Connor and Bentley de Sury winning in Ocala. (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)
Shane Sweetnam just missed the top spot on James Kann Cruz by 0.19 seconds. The top U.S. rider was Alise Oken, sixth on Gelvera. Click here for complete results.