Ireland's search for a team show jumping medal finally ended in triumph yesterday as the quartet of Dermott Lennon, Jessica Kurten, Peter Charles and Kevin Babington clinched gold at the European championships in Arnhem, Holland.
The victory wasn't all plain sailing, however, and the fortunes of the Irish team wavered with the rest over a tough course that penalised the slightest of errors.
A sensational second-round clear from anchorman Dermott Lennon and Liscalgot was what clinched it for Ireland, but all four team members played their part in the win and the memory of last year's Olympic no-show was forgotten as the celebrations began in earnest last night.
Kevin Babington, a championship debutant who only joined the Irish team 12 months ago from his American base in New Jersey, had bolstered Ireland's chances of success with a superb clear in Thursday's opening speed leg from Carling King, and then kept hopes alive with just a single mistake when first in to jump yesterday.
Jessica Kurten also returned a four-faulter with the mare Bonita on her first Nations Cup appearance, and Peter Charles' 11 from the inexperienced Traxdata Corrada became the discard when Dermott Lennon and the Touchdown mare Liscalgot faulted only at the first element of the bogey combination.
That left the Irish third at the lunchbreak, one slot below Thursday night's finishing slot, but still well within striking distance of the top as less than a fence divided them from leaders Holland. The Germans, bidding for their third successive European gold, also looked threatening in second.
Kurten and Bonita faulted just once again before Charles, who had claimed individual gold in St Gallen six years ago, also posted four with Corrada after "re-lining" his brakes during lunch.
Those two rounds boosted Ireland up into pole position Then Lennon again proved his coolness as Mr Cool rode with a determination and brilliance that belies his relative inexperience on the international stage.
The vital clear was his, the medal was ours, and the rest had to trail in our wake, with Sweden a close second and Germany bitterly disappointed in bronze.
