Four Irish in top 10 in $401,000 five-star Florida Grand Prix

continued from back page

Another hugely impressive set of performances from Irish horses and riders at the highest level of world Show Jumping, saw them fill four of the top 10 places in Saturday night’s $401,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida, USA.

Meath’s Cian O’Connor was best of the Irish after he guided the Irish Sport Horse ‘Kilkenny’ to a superb third place finish. It was a first ever five-star Grand Prix outing for ‘Kilkenny’ – a nine-year-old gelding by ‘Cardento’ (HOLST), out of ‘MHS Pembrook Lady’ (ISH), who was bred in Co. Kilkenny by Sinead Brennan. Fourth of nine to return to the jump-off, O’Connor and ‘Kilkenny’ flew around the shortened track, electing to leave a stride out down the final line and the risk paid off, as they briefly moved into the lead with a clear in 39.09 seconds.

“He’s a super horse,” said O’Connor. “I only got him last September when he was eight years old. It was really a night of firsts for me; first time under the lights, first time [in a] five star, first time jumping water in the big competition, so I didn’t really know what to expect. When I walked the course, I thought it was a very difficult test. The verticals were very tall. I must say the course was nice. This time of year, we’re all just getting up and running and the combinations were fair and Alan [Wade] did a super job with the course. I’m just thrilled with the horse. He was only half a second off my good friend [Abdel] here, so we’re really, really pleased. I couldn’t be happier.”

Egypt’s Abdel Saïd was next to go after O’Connor and produced what proved to be the winning round with ‘Bandit Savoie’, crossing the line clear in 38.70. They would finish just one-hundredth of a second ahead of German runner-up Daniel Deusser and ‘Killer Queen VDM’. Cork’s Shane Sweetnam finished fifth with ‘Karlin Van’t Vennehof’ with a clear in 39.83, while Kerry’s Capt Brian Cournane was seventh aboard ‘Armik’. Wexford’s Bertram Allen made it four Irish riders in the top 10, when he came home ninth with the Irish Sport Horse ‘Pacino Amiro’.

RESULTS

Thursday, March 11

$73,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 9: 1) Sligo Balou Boy: 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Balou Du Rouet x Catiana, Darragh Kenny (IRL), Michael Kearins: 0/0/33.75; 2) Jeff Ten Halven: 2009 BWP gelding by Toulon x Cassis Z, Michael Duffy (IRL), HMF Equestrian: 0/0/34.90; 3) Skara Glen’s Chancelloress: 2009 KWPN mare by Chacco Blue x Balou du Rouet, Paul O’Shea (IRL), Skara Glen Stables: 0/0/35.40; 4) Alejandro: 2009 Rheinländer gelding by Acorado’s Ass x Contanga, Shane Sweetnam (IRL), Seabrook, SpyCoast Farm and Sweet Oak Farm: 0/0/35.87; 5) Kilkenny: 2012 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Cardento x Mhs Pembrook Lady, Cian O’Connor (IRL), Ronnoco Jump Ltd: 0/0/36.24; 6) Balou Du Reventon: 2006 Oldenburg stallion by Cornet Obolensky x Continue, Brian Moggre (USA), Ann C. Thompson: 0/0/37.05.

BREEDING

Kilkenny (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Cardento (HOLST), out of MHS Pembrook Lady (ISH) by Guidam (SF). Breeder: Sinead Brennan, Co Kilkenny. Owner: Ronocco Jump Ltd. Rider: Cian O’Connor.

Pacino Amiro (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Pacino (BWP), out of Carnone Dancing Queen (ISH) by NC Amiro (AES). Breeder: Simon Scott, Co. Donegal. Owner: Aiden McGrory. Rider: Bertram Allen (IRL).