Ireland won the Longines League of Nations season opener in Abu Dhabi with a flawless performance, jumping seven rounds without a single pole falling. The team included a rider who was told he may never walk again and a combination jumping together for the first time, making the victory even more remarkable. The team’s chef d’equipe, Michael Blake, expressed pride in his team’s resilience and ability to secure victory with a zero score.
Three teams, including Ireland, France, and the UAE, made it to round two with a zero score, while Great Britain secured their spot with eight faults. Despite the pressure of the three-rider team format, Ireland continued to deliver double clears, with Mikey Pender securing victory with a hat-trick of double clears. The host nation UAE finished as runners-up, while France came in third place.
A new partnership in the Irish team delivered a strong performance, with Jason Foley impressing despite only starting to ride his horse a few weeks ago. The team’s victory with no jumping faults was a rare occurrence, with team veteran Denis Lynch credited for guiding the riders. The Longines League of Nations journey continues to Ocala, Florida, with the Final set for Barcelona in October.
