Ardmore showjumer Daniel Coyle have qualified for Tuesday’s individual showjumping final at the Paris Olympics alongside Irish teammate Shane Sweetnam.
However, there was no joy for 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Cian O’Connor, who just missed out on a place in the top 30 and a slot in the final.
Riding James Kann Cruz, Sweetnam posted the second fastest time of the day 73.35, marginally ahead of team-mate Coyle (73.64). The Derry rider has now jumped three clear rounds on Legacy at the Olympics – the first two in the team competition.
For much of the qualification competition the Irish pair were first and second in the rankings until a superb clear round late in the evening from French rider Julian Epaillard on Dubua Du Cedre in a time of 73.07 meant he took over as the leading qualifier.
The standard was exceptionally high with 20 riders having clear rounds in the magnificent Chateau De Versailles arena.
O’Connor, riding Maurice, picked up four faults in his round which was timed at 75.17. Nine other riders who had four faults made it through. O’Connor was less than two seconds shy of a place in the top thirty.
Cork native Sweetnam said he was happy with his performance.
“Obviously, the big thing is to qualify for tomorrow and that job is done. I was worrying a little bit that if I wasn’t clear I needed to go fast-forward. So now I don’t need to worry about that.
“He (the horse) jumped great, and we’ve been a little bit unlucky this week. Like the last fence on the last day (of the team jumping event), and stuff we normally would clear. But today he jumped really well, and I hope for the same thing tomorrow.”
The Florida-based rider said everybody dreams about winning an Olympic medal.
“I think for anyone, that’s what dreams are made of. Now I have to think about the next round, getting it clear and then I can start thinking about what happens after that,” he said.
Tuesday’s final begins at 9am.