Edward Doyle

The horses returned home from Gijon all safe and well and will now take a well-earned break for two weeks.  The plan then is to head off the first week in October and take in 3 to 4 shows in France and Italy.  Both Edward and Edward Jnr. will travel on this trip.

Edward was delighted with Samgemgee's performance in the Grand Prix today.  Speaking after the competition he said "In places the track was very big and in particular the last line.  I felt we were unlucky not to go clear, but with the disadvantage of being the pathfinder and the optimum time being of importance, unfortunately we had the last fence down.  Overall though, I was very happy as the horse handled this track very well."

Today Edward jumps in the Grand Prix at the CSIO5* Gijon.  Speaking after Samgemgee's first Nations Cup appearance on Saturday, Edward commented on how pleased he was with the horses performance.  "It was a big track, nearly on a par with Superleague standard.  Samgemgee has really stepped up to the mark over the last five weeks and can only gain from jumping at this level.  Today will be another step in the right direction and should set the horse up for the World Stallion Breeding show at Lannaken later this month"

03 Sep 2011)

IRELAND'S show jumping team finished sixth in the five-star Nations' Cup at Gijon, Spain this afternoon (Saturday).

Gijon, which is part of the FEI Promotional League of Nations' Cups, saw ten teams competing, but with Ireland not seeking points outside its Superleague status.

The team of Edward Doyle, Marion Hughes, Dermott Lennon and Capt. David O'Brien finished on a total of 28 penalties, with Spain claiming the Nations' Cup trophy on a total of 12 penalties.

Afterwards Team Ireland Equestrian's show jumping manager Robert Splaine said from Gijon: "This five-star show was an opportunity to test new combinations at a high level with 2012 in mind. All the team horses were Irish-breds, which I believe is a first at this level. It was extremely interesting from my point of view, as some of the horses that jumped today will be able to make a contribution in the future to Ireland's Superleague campaign."

SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSIO5* GIJON SPAIN SEPTEMBER 1-5 2011

NATIONS CUP
International Jumping Competition
Art. 264
1m60
Saturday September 3, 2011

1) SPAIN 12 faults
2) GREAT BRITAIN 15 faults
3) SWEDEN 16 faults
4) NORWAY 23 faults
5) FRANCE 24 faults
6) IRELAND 28 faults
Edward Doyle/Samgemjee (ISH) 4/8
Marion Hughes/HHS Fortuna (ISH) 9/8
Dermott Lennon/Lough View Lou Lou (ISH) 4/4
Capt. David O'Brien/Annestown (ISH) 4/4
7) SWITZERLAND 16 faults (First Round Only)
8) ITALY 17 faults (First Round Only)
9) BELGIUM 20 faults (First Round Only)
10) CANADA 25 faults (First Round Only)