CRATLOE’s Eoin McMahon got his 2022/23 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup season off to a flying start, notching a podium finish in Sunday’s opening round of the series in Oslo.
Riding the 12-year-old mare Chakra, McMahon was one of 11 combinations to make it into the jump-off after a clear first round.
Drawn first to go in the jump-off, Eoin posted an impressive clear in 46.13 seconds against the clock, which would be good enough for third place at the finish and 15 league points for the Irishman.
Victory went to Switzerland’s Bryan Balsiger and Dubai du Bois Pinchet with a clear in 41.38, while Norway’s Victoria Gulliksen and Equine America Papa Roach finished as runners-up in 43.62. Tipperary’s Thomas Ryan was also among the starters, and finished with one fence down in the first round with Springfield.
The second leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup, Western European League takes place in Helsinki next weekend.
Since 2018, Eoin has been training from the stable of four time Olympic gold medallist, Ludger Beerbaum in Germany. He made his Irish senior team debut in 2020 and championship debut in 2021. He finished in the top ten of his first European championship in 2021, riding Chacon 2 to eight place.
Both of his parents, John and Patricia were keen riders while his younger brother Conor is currently based in England with Richard Howley.