It was a fence too far for the Irish yesterday as medal hopes at the European show jumping championships evaporated in the Mannheim arena during the team decider. A tragedy of errors left Tommy Wade's quartet trailing in fifth place, in the wake of their all-powerful hosts, Germany.
A good showing in yesterday's Nations Cup could have brought the green-jacketed foursome within stepping distance of the podium, but the rally - when it came - was too little too late and their fifth place was the only reward for perseverance.
Eddie Macken, who had supplied the discard score in the speed leg on Thursday, was back to his brilliant best to produce a morale-boosting clear with Schalkhaar yesterday morning. However, hopes were dashed with the elimination of Paul Darragh and Cera after three stops at the combination three from home.
Darragh returned with 12 at the second attempt, while both Macken and John Ledingham produced four-faulters after the lunch break, before last-man-in Trevor Coyle conjured up a clear that at least allowed the Irish to overhaul the Swiss and Austrians.
Germany clinched the European team gold and, with three riders in the top six, they look set to corner the medal market in tomorrow's individual final as well.
Silver medallists Holland and Britain, who won bronze, are also well represented. Ireland's solitary qualifier for the individual finale, Trevor Coyle is off the pace, in 15th.
Details: Team - 1, Germany, 15.75 penalties; 2, Holland, 21.61; 3, Britain, 34.86; 4, France, 46.89; 5, Ireland, 48.83; 6, Switzerland, 50.05.
Individual rankings - 1, L Beerbaum (Germany), 0 penalties; 2, H Simon (Austria), 4.35; 3, E Hendrix (Holland), 5.55; 4, M Beerbaum (Germany), 6.72; 5, W Melliger (Switzerland), 8.20; 6, L Nieberg (Germany), 8.20. Irish placings - 15, T Coyle, 14.45; 22, Capt J Ledingham, 19.38; 25, E Macken, 25.90; 53, P Darragh.
