IRELAND’S SHOW JUMPING team has secured qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games after finishing seventh at the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany.
The result sealed one of the seven spots on offer at the championships, alongside Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, Italy, Switzerland and France, with the United States already qualifying for the LA Games as host nation.
Ireland’s show jumpers overcame the challenge of Darragh Kenny’s Eddy Blue being withdrawn ahead of Friday’s final round under lights. This removed the benefit of a discard score, meaning every remaining Irish performance would count towards the final team total, and the combinations responded accordingly.
Cian O’Connor and Chatolinue PS, Bertram Allen and Qonquest de Rigo, and Shane Sweetnam and CFS James Kann Cruz finished seventh overall on 23.69 penalties in the team standings.
Germany dominated to win their first world championship team gold on home soil, while Belgium and Great Britain took silver and bronze on 11.69 and 12.98 penalties respectively.
Individually for Ireland, Sweetnam and CFS James Kann Cruz finished in 17th place to progress to the individual final, while O’Connor and Chatolinue PS were 31st on 9.10 penalties and Allen and Qonquest de Rigo placed 35th on 9.70 penalties.
“Congratulations to our riders, owners, breeders and the entire support team on securing such an important outcome for Irish show jumping,” said Alison Corbally, Director General of the Irish Horse Board.
“Qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games at this early stage of the Olympic cycle is a significant achievement and gives Team Ireland a valuable foundation from which to plan and prepare for the Games in 2028.”
While qualification was celebrated afterwards, Kenny also offered an update following the withdrawal. “After careful assessment this afternoon, we made the difficult decision to withdraw Eddy Blue from this evening’s team final at the World Championships. He is a special horse, and his wellbeing has always been, and will always be, my first priority.”
Sweetnam and CFS James Kann Cruz carry Irish hopes in Sunday’s individual world championship final, from 1pm Irish time on RTÉ Player.
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Ireland’s show jumping team secure Olympic qualification
IRELAND’S SHOW JUMPING team has secured qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games after finishing seventh at the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany.
The result sealed one of the seven spots on offer at the championships, alongside Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, Italy, Switzerland and France, with the United States already qualifying for the LA Games as host nation.
It continues a brilliant week for Irish equestrian, the eventing team having booked their Olympics ticket with a fourth-place finish in their respective competition on Sunday.
Ireland’s show jumpers overcame the challenge of Darragh Kenny’s Eddy Blue being withdrawn ahead of Friday’s final round under lights. This removed the benefit of a discard score, meaning every remaining Irish performance would count towards the final team total, and the combinations responded accordingly.
Cian O’Connor and Chatolinue PS, Bertram Allen and Qonquest de Rigo, and Shane Sweetnam and CFS James Kann Cruz finished seventh overall on 23.69 penalties in the team standings.
Germany dominated to win their first world championship team gold on home soil, while Belgium and Great Britain took silver and bronze on 11.69 and 12.98 penalties respectively.
Individually for Ireland, Sweetnam and CFS James Kann Cruz finished in 17th place to progress to the individual final, while O’Connor and Chatolinue PS were 31st on 9.10 penalties and Allen and Qonquest de Rigo placed 35th on 9.70 penalties.
“Congratulations to our riders, owners, breeders and the entire support team on securing such an important outcome for Irish show jumping,” said Alison Corbally, Director General of the Irish Horse Board.
“Qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games at this early stage of the Olympic cycle is a significant achievement and gives Team Ireland a valuable foundation from which to plan and prepare for the Games in 2028.”
While qualification was celebrated afterwards, Kenny also offered an update following the withdrawal. “After careful assessment this afternoon, we made the difficult decision to withdraw Eddy Blue from this evening’s team final at the World Championships. He is a special horse, and his wellbeing has always been, and will always be, my first priority.”
Sweetnam and CFS James Kann Cruz carry Irish hopes in Sunday’s individual world championship final, from 1pm Irish time on RTÉ Player.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Equestrian LA Bound show jumping