Bernard Jackman: ‘We still believe there is a medal there, maybe two if we're lucky'
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A lifetime playing and coaching in professional sport means Bernard Jackman has had to deal with just about every kind of crushing defeat. The hurt never lessens. He lets out a deep sigh in Paris and reflects on the one that got away.
In November, the former Ireland rugby international was appointed acting Head of High-Performance Sport at Horse Sport Ireland. Last Friday, he watched the team compete in the showjumping team final at the Château de Versailles equestrian venue. The three-man group were well in contention after two rounds only for Cian O’Connor and his horse Maurice to incur nine penalties. That relegated them to a seventh-place finish.
“We have beaten all of those teams all year,” says Jackman. “We arrived in a very good position, obviously ranked number one in the world in the Longines. Really hoped and believed we could win a medal and I still think we could have won a medal. But it didn’t happen for us.
“In fairness to Great Britain, the United States, France, Netherlands all jumped incredibly well. In the last round, after Daniel (Coyle) had his double clear, which is some achievement given how hard the course was, we were hoping the team could pull it off. We just didn’t really have any luck.
“Look, it is an unbelievable competition and an amazing format. Showjumping at its best is one of the best sports with the best riders in the world. It is incredibly exciting.” On Monday, Shane Sweetnam and Daniel Coyle produced superb clear rounds to qualify for the individual final. O’Connor, who won the individual bronze medal at London 2012, missed out with four faults leaving him three spots outside the 30 qualifiers.
“We still believe there is a medal there. Team (event) obviously was the first target, but we can still leave here with a medal, maybe two if we are lucky. That is our job now,” stresses Jackman.
“We came here for medals. In team we didn’t finish… finishing fourth would feel the same as seventh. I think we have a card to play on Tuesday. Let’s hope we can get something out of this.”
The world he knows is vast and varied and totally separate to showjumping or eventing. Jackman studied International Marketing and Japanese at DCU before rugby and Sports Management in UCD after it. High performance, public speaking, coaching, that is his bag. Not this.
All of that is grand because his role isn’t to inform the experts, it is to support them. The work never stops. Come Wednesday planning begins for the Dublin Horse Show and the Longines League of Nations in Barcelona. First it is all about Château de Versailles. What a scene.
Monday’s course was 14 fences in the heart of the garden. Each is themed in a tribute to France with a host of idiosyncratic colours and designs. For example, the second is a nod to the classic advertising columns found in the streets of Paris and beyond, an eye-catching polka dot pattern that presents a significant challenge to the horses.
The Irish duo arrive in form. Sweetnam partnered the Irish-bred James Kann Cruz to a perfect round in a time of 73.35 seconds to go through in second, just behind home favourite Julien Epaillard and Dubai de Cedre.
Coyle and mare Legacy delivered a superb third clear round of the week.
“This is a phenomenal setting and they are the most professional group of people, as professional as any rugby players I have dealt with,” says Jackman.
“It is no surprise that they are competing around the world every week for big prizes against the best in the world. I know they will want to try and do Ireland proud.
“I am only there to support Michael Blake, the Chef d’Equipe. He runs this as Dag Albert does the Eventing and Ann Marie (Dunphy) does the Dressage. It is just to support them and make sure they have the confidence needed, just be there as a confidant really. Then obviously just help with the logistics and support for the riders. We have a very good campaign with no hiccups in all three disciplines. There is a lot to play for.”