Ireland invincible in Abu Dhabi
Michael Blake’s choice- blend of youth and experience proved a magic tonic this afternoon as his four-man team of Denis Lynch (Vistogrand), Trevor Breen (Highland President), Jason Foley (Chedington Hazy Toulana) and Michael Pender (HHS Los Angeles) conjured up a flawless performance across seven rounds of Jumping to see Ireland take the honours in the opening leg of the Longines League of NationsTM 2025 in Abu Dhabi (UAE). They did this in convincing style, finishing on a final score of zero faults.
The United Arab Emirates team, invited to compete in this leg of the series as host nation, capitalised on the opportunity to compete alongside the sport’s ten best nations in sensational style as a series of classy clear rounds from Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi (Enjoy de la Mure), Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi (Chacolu), Humaid Abdulla Khalifa Al Muhairi (Foncetti vd Heffinck) and Abdullah Mohd Al Marri (BBS McGregor) saw them earn their place on the podium in front of an elated home crowd with a final score of eight faults.
After a strong opening round, the new format proved influential for France’s team of Simon Delestre (Cayman Jolly Jumper), Alexa Ferrer (Vitalhorse Naiade d’Elsendam Z), Jeanne Sadran (Dexter de Kerglenn) and Kevin Staut (Visconti du Telman) as an uncharacteristic round in round two saw their chances of victory slip away and the pre- competition favourites had to settle for third place on a final score of 12 faults.