There was disappointment for Irish riders Shane Sweetnam and Daniel Coyle in the individual final at the Paris Olympics today.
In the majestic Chateau De Versailles Arena the pair were unable to match their exploits in yesterday’s qualification round where they jumped clear rounds and were second and third ranked in the qualification.
Third last into the ring Derry’s Daniel Coyle on the 14-year-old mare Legacy looked smooth as he successfully negotiated the first half of the tough course. Legacy had jumped three clear rounds already at the venue but disaster struck when he appeared to lose his concentration and had four fences down in a row in the second half of his ride before Coyle opted to retire.
A pragmatic Coyle said that in showjumping it is not possible to jump clear in every single round.
“Unfortunately, we picked the worst day not to jump clear. But I am still very proud of the way we’re jumped three clear round all week.
“I’ll go away with my head held high for me, my horse owner and everybody that supported”
Coyle revealed that he lost a stirrup and the Legacy shed a shoe during their round which impacted on their prospects.
“I just needed a moment to compose myself and tell her it was okay. But instead, I came in the first distance, and she hit the back pole, a circular bar, and then lost a little bit of faith.
“Actually when she had the first one down I was kind of half thinking we can’t do any more than that. We were hoping for a clear but it didn’t come.
“It’s my first Olympics, but it’s nothing like I ever experienced. I am very, very happy and proud I’ve come this far this so many clears.”
Coyle said he had a ‘bit of food poisoning’ on Sunday . So I wasn’t feeling that great. I went to bed early and slept quite good. So I woke up with confidence but not delusional. I knew it was going to be very tough.”
There was a three-way jump-off for the medal positions. Germany’s Christian Kukuk won gold ahead of Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat while Maikel van der Vleuten (the Netherlands ) took the bronze.
Riding James Kann Cruz, Sweetman was next in the ring but the partnership had three fences down and collected 12 faults to finish 22nd overall.