CIAN O’CONNOR PUT in an impressive display as Ireland qualified for the world show jumping final in North Carolina, USA, on Thursday.
Needing a top-10 finish to avoid exiting the competition, Ireland finished sixth overall out of 25 teams.
Shane Sweetnam and Chaqui Z initially finished with two fences down and a time fault.
Next up was Shane Breen and Ipswich Van De Wolfsakker, who produced a total of 14 faults, before the Irish team looked in serious trouble, as Paul O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu ended up with eight faults overall.
However, a subsequent sterling performance from Cian O’Connor and Good Luck, who jumped a clear round, ultimately ensured the team’s comfortable progression to the final with a score of 27.12.
**BREAKING** Ireland sponsored by Devenish & The Underwriting Exchange have finished in 6th place after today's 2nd round of jumping at WEG @tryon2018 in USA putting them safely among the top 10 teams who will go forward to final rd to decide team medals & Olympic qual#Equiline. pic.twitter.com/50dWIGqDnI
— Team IRL Equestrian (@TeamIRLEq) September 20, 2018
Switzerland are the current leaders on 11.64 followed by hosts USA (12.59) and third-place Germany (18.09).
Friday’s final begins at 6.30pm Irish time, with the top-six teams earning an automatic spot in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
World Equestrian Games Individual Standings
— Team IRL Equestrian (@TeamIRLEq) September 20, 2018
Cian O'Connor and Good Luck are in a very strong position individually in 5th place. Shane Sweetnam and Chaqui Z lie in 33rd. Paul O'Shea and Skara Glen's Machu Picchu are in 49th with Shane Breen and Ipswich Van De Wolfsakker in 72nd pic.twitter.com/AGDf7kbk5P
O’Connor and his horse are also in a strong position individually, as they sit fifth overall.
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