The Irish Show Jumping Team Takes the Crown in Vejer de la Frontera!
Well, it seems the Irish Show Jumping Team has done it again! They pranced their way to victory at the three-star Andalucía October Tour Nations Cup, trouncing a competition of 18 nations as if they were a pack of lagging ponies at a village fair.
Led by Coach Michael Blake, the team featured a stellar cast: Mikey Pender, Jason Foley, Seamus Hughes Kennedy, and the ever-legendary Cian O’Connor. These lads made jumping look so effortless that you’d think they were just auditioning for Cirque du Soleil rather than representing their country in a nail-biting competition!
A Winning Start: The Great Green Machine
The Irish squad kicked off with style, leading the pack from the moment the flag fluttered. By the time the dust had settled, they had secured a remarkable nine faults. To put that into perspective, that’s like showing up to a party, speaking in a perfect Scottish accent, and managing to drink that last pint without spill. Bravo!
In a classic display of competitive spirit, Belgium trailed in at second with 15 faults, while the USA poked their heads in for the podium finish at 17 faults. Honestly, at this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if the rest of the world started sending us thank-you notes for all the lessons in horse-riding etiquette. You may want to take a page out of their book, eh, *not-so-successful-teams*?
Blake’s Praise: A Chef D’Equipe in Delight
Now, let’s talk about Blake’s reaction. The chap was understandably chuffed! His enthusiasm was akin to a kid in a candy store, albeit one filled with glittering trophies instead of sweets. “That was great!” he exclaimed, probably while flexing a bicep or two. “We knew we were strong,” he continued, clearly not one for modesty. And understandably so; when you’re leading a team that’s practically redefining excellence in equestrian sports, a little swagger goes a long way!
The Stars of the Show: The Men, the Horses, the Legend
O’Connor, riding his trusty steed Iron Man, echoed the sentiments of his coach while showcasing that classic Irish humility. “It’s fantastic to win this competitive Nation’s Cup today,” he said, as if he were simply discussing the weather over a pint. “I was delighted to be lining out alongside three of the most talented young men on the Irish team.” Now that’s just selfless! But let’s not forget—without Iron Man, this victory might just be a round of applause at the local pub.
The Competitive Edge: Round by Round
Now, let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of their performance. The show opened with Kildare’s Pender launching into the fray on HHS Los Angeles. You’d think he was competing for an Oscar with the way he dazzled the crowd with a clear round. Foley quickly followed suit on Jacksonville Eurohill, making a faultless round look easier than making a cup of tea!
For those keeping score, Hughes Kennedy wasn’t about to let his teammates down either, sealing a perfect run with ESI Rocky. And guess who wrapped up their first round? None other than Cian O’Connor, proving that the old adage “the older, the wiser” definitely stands true—even in the equestrian arena.
Clearing the Obstacles: Tension Builds
As the competition progressed, the stakes heightened, but Ireland maintained a luxurious cushion with eight faults to spare. It’s like having a safety net made of shamrocks—soft, green, and just a touch lucky! However, as any seasoned viewer knows, one misstep can send you tumbling back to square one—thankfully, our lads held their nerve.
Victorious Finish: A Cause for Celebration
The final rounds saw Pender and Foley navigate a few snags—four faults here and there—but by the time Hughes Kennedy entered the arena again, the Irish victory was looking almost inevitable. A mere time fault didn’t dampen the spirits as O’Connor came in, wrapped things up, and sent the crowd into a frenzy. Because let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to celebrate a victory with a little jig and a pint?
So here’s to the Underwriting Exchange Irish Show Jumping Team—a bold reminder that while life may throw obstacles your way, sometimes you just need a good horse, a slightly cheeky sense of humour, and the courage to jump through every one of them. Cheers to more victories, and let’s hope the rest of the world takes note. After all, we’d like to keep our trophy cabinet nice and full!
The Underwriting Exchange Irish Show Jumping Team showcased their exceptional skill and teamwork by triumphing over a competitive lineup of 18 countries to clinch the prestigious three-star Andalucía October Tour Nations Cup in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain, this afternoon.
Michael Blake’s talented squad, composed of Mikey Pender, Jason Foley, Seamus Hughes Kennedy, and Cian O’Connor, took an early lead right from the start and confidently secured their victory, concluding the event with a total of just nine faults—proving their dominance and leaving considerable margin ahead of the competition.
Belgium finished strong in second place with a total of 15 faults, while the USA rounded out the podium with 17 faults, highlighting the fiercely contested nature of the competition.
This latest Nations Cup victory further enriches Blake’s impressive track record, which includes prior successes at renowned events like Ocala and Aachen, and the Irish Chef d’Equipe expressed his delight, stating how rewarding it is to see their hard work translate into outstanding results.
He remarked: “That was great – I knew we were strong coming in, and the course designer had set up a difficult course, with many combinations catching the competitors out.”
“But our lads have seen it all and really showed their class; the first round was impeccable. We faced some minor setbacks in the second round with little errors costing us some faults, but it became about managing the game effectively, and we were able to hold on comfortably.”
“It’s another win, adding to what was already a magnificent season, and we continue to demonstrate the depth of talent among our ranks – I’m exceedingly pleased.”
O’Connor shared his excitement, stating: “It’s fantastic to win this competitive Nations Cup today in Vejer. I was delighted to line up alongside three of the most talented young men on the Irish team. My horse, Iron Man, jumped outstandingly well with a super clear today, and I’m genuinely excited about our future together.”
The Kildare native, Pender, alongside the Hughes Horse Stud-bred HHS Los Angeles (ISH), laid down the groundwork for their team’s success by jumping a faultless round right under the time limit—a feat that was pivotal given the challenging course laid out for all competitors.
Pender’s zero score was one of only two among the 18 initial combinations, perhaps inspiring Foley, who followed suit by delivering an impressive faultless performance aboard Jacksonville Eurohill and fortifying Ireland’s position at the forefront of the standings.
Building on that momentum, Seamus Hughes Kennedy, riding the Ennisnag Stud-bred 2023 Youth European Champion ESI Rocky (ISH), also achieved a clear round during the initial phase, maintaining Ireland’s flawless tally. With this stellar performance, O’Connor was granted the opportunity to navigate the course without pressure, but he did not relent, completing a fourth consecutive clear round for Ireland with Iron Man.
Ireland finished the first round with a commendable eight faults to spare over their nearest challengers, France, who trailed with 11 faults, while Belgium claimed the third position at the halfway point.
Following the break, Pender re-entered the arena, facing an unfortunate fate as he accrued four faults when HHS Los Angeles clipped the top of the wall during an otherwise excellent round. Foley and Jacksonville Eurohill had an outstanding performance that fell just short of a double clear, finishing with four faults that arose solely from a front bar mistake at the last fence, leaving Ireland in a favorable position with 10 faults to spare.
As the second round progressed, Germany emerged as the closest contenders for Ireland, with 14 faults recorded, while Belgium remained in third with 15 faults and two riders still to go. Hughes Kennedy capped off the round with ESI Rocky by avoiding any faults, incurring only a single time fault, which all but secured the victory for Ireland. Veteran O’Connor expertly wrapped up the competition aboard Iron Man, igniting jubilant celebrations among the team.
Interview with Michael Blake, Coach of the Irish Show Jumping Team
Editor: Congratulations on your team’s incredible victory at the Andalucía October Tour Nations Cup! How does it feel to lead your team to such a dominant performance?
Michael Blake: Thank you very much! It’s an amazing feeling, really. I knew we were strong coming into this competition, and the way the lads performed today just reinforced that belief. Seeing them execute their plans flawlessly was a huge thrill.
Editor: The team finished with only nine faults—what was the key to that impressive performance?
Michael Blake: We had a solid strategy from the start. Each of the riders knew their horses well and executed their rounds under pressure. Mikey Pender set the tone with his clear round, and that gave us the momentum we needed. Even when we faced minor setbacks, we managed our game effectively, which was crucial.
Editor: Cian O’Connor’s experience must have been instrumental. How did his presence influence the younger riders on the team?
Michael Blake: Absolutely! Cian brings a wealth of experience and a unique calmness to the team. His ability to inspire confidence in the younger riders is invaluable. He’s not just a talented rider; he also embodies the team spirit, which motivates everyone to give their best.
Editor: After this victory, what’s next for the Irish Show Jumping Team?
Michael Blake: We’re looking ahead to more competitions, of course! Each win builds our momentum and gives us more opportunities to showcase our depth of talent. We aim to maintain this level of performance as we prepare for upcoming international events.
Editor: what message do you want to send to the Irish equestrian community and your supporters after this win?
Michael Blake: I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who supports us, from our family and friends to our sponsors and fans. This win is not just for the team; it’s for all of Ireland. We hope to keep making you proud and to continue putting Irish show jumping on the global map!
Editor: Thank you, Michael, and congratulations once again!
Michael Blake: Thank you! It’s been a fantastic journey, and we’re excited about what lies ahead!
Michael Blake: Cian’s experience is invaluable, especially in high-pressure situations like this. His calm demeanor and tactical approach serve as a compass for the younger riders. They can learn so much just by watching him manage the course. Cian’s leadership on and off the horse fosters a sense of confidence in the entire team, and it’s evident that they feed off his energy and composure.
Editor: It sounds like strong teamwork played a crucial role. What attributes do you think make this group particularly special?
Michael Blake: Absolutely! This team has a unique blend of youth and experience. Each rider brings a distinct set of skills and strengths to the table. They communicate exceptionally well, trust each other, and maintain an incredible team spirit, which is vital in a sport where performance can vary from rider to rider. That camaraderie is what really sets this group apart.
Editor: With this victory under your belt, what’s next for the Irish Show Jumping Team?
Michael Blake: Well, we’re taking it one step at a time. This win definitely boosts our morale, but we need to stay focused on our training and prepare for future competitions. Developing our skills and maintaining consistency will be our priority as we aim for even greater heights. Our goal is to continue building on this success and hopefully shine even brighter on the world stage!
Editor: We look forward to seeing you and the team in action again soon! Congratulations once more on an outstanding performance.
Michael Blake: Thank you very much! We appreciate your support. Cheers!
