LAST UPDATE | 3 Aug 2021
IT’S BEEN A successful day for Team Ireland in the showjumping individual qualifier as all three riders have booked their place in the final.
The trio enjoyed clear rounds with zero penalties, with Darragh Kenny the fastest home in a time of 82.01. He led the field until Great Britain’s Ben Maher just pipped him in 81.34.
With 30 riders from 73 progressing to tomorrow’s final, Kenny was the first of the Irish contingent out on Cartello, with Bertram Allen and Cian O’Connor following suit in sixth and 25th place respectively.
Allen finished in 85.18, riding Pacino Amiro, with O’Connor, aboard Kilkenny, clocking 88.66.
O’Connor was made to sweat for his qualifying spot. He was in 23rd spot with 10 competitors to go in the qualifier but managed to hold on and progress to the final.
Darragh Kenny set the standard for the Irish trio in the showjumping, going clear and set for a place in the Olympic final. #RTEsport pic.twitter.com/H3uczhflLZ
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 3, 2021
“I was very happy with the round,” Kenny told RTÉ Sport after his Olympic debut. “Cartello jumped super, he feels in great form.
“We have a very strong team and a great group of horses. My horse feels in great form and we’re very motivated to do some damage
“I’ve never actually jumped him under lights. There’s a bit of shadow, the jumps become a bit brighter a bit spookier.
“I feel very confident.”
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So far so good: the three Irish riders in the showjumping qualifiers all safely home in clear rounds, guaranteed passage to the final (top 30 out of 73 qualify for tomorrow’s final) and @dkenny08 with the fastest time so far #EquestrianJumping #olympics pic.twitter.com/IRAvDcyFyV
— Gavan Reilly is out of office (@gavreilly) August 3, 2021
