Irish dominate Dublin's international show jumping classes
Jordan Coyle secures Best Athlete title
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FOR any show jumping fan, it is a real treat to watch the international classes at Dublin Horse Show in the wonderful main arena at the RDS. Irish riders certainly gave a good account of themselves at this year’s show, securing wins in a fantastic 11 of the 14 international classes! The classes the Irish didn’t win were the Nations Cup, where Switzerland didn’t put a foot wrong and proved unbeatable, with the Irish the worthy runners up; the Royal Dublin Society Stakes saw Great Britain’s Sienna Charles take the top spot, while the Longines International Grand Prix went to France’s Francois Xavier Boudant.
Derry’s Jordan Coyle deserves special mention, as he performed consistently over the five days of the show, with numerous placings and was named Best International Athlete / Best Irish Athlete.
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The Sport Ireland Classic was the feature class on Wednesday afternoon, where Cork’s Shane Sweetnam claimed victory with ‘Out of the Blue SCF’, the nine-year-old grey mare owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC.
One of the last riders to jump, Ireland Nations Cup squad member Sweetnam had to beat Spanish rider Eduardo Alvarez Aznar’s time of 66.88 seconds. Sweetnam took on the challenge and jumped brilliantly, stopping the clock in 66.15 seconds around the 1.60m course. Irish riders filled the majority of the placings within the top ten.
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In the 1.45m Minerva Stakes, Galway’s Burke added another five-star success to her CV on 10-year-old mare ‘Inpulss’. Burke dominated, finishing over three seconds clear of runner-up Sienna Charles with ‘Valkiry de Zance’, with Tipperary’s Shane Breen in third with ‘Z7 Ipswich’.
To kick off the day, Mikey Pender and ‘HHS Vancouver’ (ISH) were last into the arena for the Speed Stakes class, but also fastest and stopped the clock after a clear round in 57.23 seconds.
Irish riders took the top five places, with Richard Howley runner-up with ‘Mansini LTD’ in a time of 57.62 seconds, while third place went to European Champion Young Rider Seamus Hughes Kennedy on ‘Cuffesgrange Cavadora’ (ISH).
On day two, Thursday, Bertram Allen won the 1.45m Speed Derby in a dazzling time of 81.95 seconds, riding the nine-year-old bay mare ‘Carrera Denfer’, owned by Ballywalter Stables.
Shane Breen secured second in a time of 83.67 seconds with ‘Team Z7 Ipswich’, owned in partnership between Z7 and Breen, with Jack Ryan hot on his heels, coming home in 85.30 seconds with Marguerite Ryan’s Irish Sport Horse Cavalier Teaca.
The 1.60m Cashel Palace Hotel Stakes saw Ireland dominate. Out of over 40 combinations lining out, just eight jumped clear to progress to the jump-off. Of those, only three combinations jumped clear in the timed phase. Greece’s Ioli Mytillineou and Ireland’s Harry Allen (on ‘Calculatus’, owned by Qin Yu Pang) and Richard Howley (riding ‘Consulent De Prelet Z’, owned by HK Horses).
Allen set the time to beat of 36.85 seconds in the jump-off, but an impressive round from Howley saw him knock almost two seconds off Allen’s time, stopping the clock in 34.52 seconds. Mytillineou completed the podium in a time of 38.00 seconds.
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The FEI Nations Cup for the Aga Khan Trophy was the highlight of Friday’s show jumping classes. This year, Michael Blake’s Irish team had to settle for a creditable second place finish behind an impeccable Swiss performance.
Galway’s Michael Duffy riding ‘Cinca 3’, owned by Hibernian Horses Ltd, was the first Irish rider to jump and was making his Aga Khan Trophy debut. He got Ireland off to a strong start; he incurred four faults for a toe in the water-jump, but it was certainly a debut round to be proud of.
Another Aga Khan Trophy debutant, Michael Pender was next in for Ireland riding the Irish Sport Horse ‘HHS Calais’ (ISH), owned by Bravo Hughes Ltd. The same water jump caused Pender also to finish on four faults.
Cian O’Connor was Ireland’s third line rider, partnering Nicole Walker’s nine-year-old mare ‘Eve D’Ouilly’. A pole down at the third part of the combination left Ireland on a team score of eight faults after the first three riders.
Shane Sweetnam and the Irish Sport Horse ‘James Kann Cruz’ (ISH), owned by Gizmo Partners LLC, were the Irish team anchors. A clear was needed and was duly delivered. The home crowd responded, as the Corkman riding an Irish Sport Horse did the business and jumped a faultless round.
After round one, the Swiss team held the lead with three clear rounds and a team score of zero. Ireland, France and Great Britian were next in line, all carrying eight faults. Belgium and Spain were on 12 faults, with Mexico and The Netherlands trailing.
Elimination for Great Britain’s first line rider in the second round left the door open for Ireland. Duffy got Ireland off to an excellent start with a clear round.
The fourth fence fell for Kildare’s Pender in his second round, while clear rounds from Switzerland’s first two riders extended their lead.
O’Connor and his inexperienced mare had to deliver a clear round to keep Ireland in contention and, as he has so many times in the past, the Meath man delivered. The crowd erupted as he crossed the finish line, keeping Ireland’s dream alive.
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However, it wasn’t to be, as Switzerland’s third line rider jumped clear, leaving them on a team total of zero and Aga Khan Trophy winners.
Sweetnam did not jump ‘James Kann Cruz’ in the second round, as a clear would not have changed the result – at best it would have narrowed the gap between Ireland and Switzerland.
Afterwards, Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) Show Jumping High Performance Director Michael Blake explained that, with the European Championships coming up next in just two weeks’ time from Milan, he would rather save ‘James Kann Cruz’ for then.
Blake went on to say: “Not the result we wanted – it’s hard to retain something like the Aga Khan Trophy. The water played a big part today, which was something I wasn’t expecting – maybe it was the red wall in front of it. Michael Duffy’s horse seemed to back up a little bit and maybe he overrode it. Then with the others we decided to do one less stride but control became a bit of an issue.
“Normally it wouldn’t happen to us, but today just didn’t go our way.
“You need clear rounds to win Nations Cups and we’re probably a little bit sore with the result – that’s three seconds in a row and, while it probably means we’re very consistent, maybe it means we need to up our game a little bit!”
On the Swiss performance, Blake added: “We expected that from them – they had a hard time earlier in the year, but they’re coming good now.
“It is unbelievable that they haven’t qualified for the Olympics in Paris next year, but I’m sure they’ll rectify that. Their Chef Michel Sorg is a great man and I’m delighted for him – I offer him and his team my heartiest congratulations.”
The full results may be found here, but the top eight in each class are listed below.
RESULTS
International show jumping classes
Wednesday, August 9
Class 1 Speed Stakes:
1) Bravo Hughes’ Hhs Vancouver, Michael Pender (IRL); 2) Hk Horses’ Mansini Ltd, Richard Howley (IRL); 3) Clare Hughes’ Cuffesgrange Cavadora, Seamus Hughes Kennedy (IRL); 4) Ronnoco Jump’s Cathalina S, Tom Wachman (IRL); 5) Jordan Coyle and Elan Farm’s Eristov, Jordan Coyle (IRL); 6) Stall Zet’s Chavira, Harry Charles (GBR); 7) H.J.S. Trading and David Hopkinson’s Her Game Ball BG, Hendrik-Jan Schuttert (NED)'; 8) Jose Antonio Chedraui Eguia’s Good Limit, Jose Antonio Chedraui Eguia (MEX).
Class 2 Minerva Stakes:
1) Louisa Church’s Inpulss, Jessica Burke (IRL); 2) Sofia Abramovich’s Valkiry de Zance, Sienna Charles (GBR); 3) Shane Breen and Team Z7’s Z7 Ipswich, Shane Breen (IRL); 4) Daniel Coyle and Ariel Grange’s Legacy, Daniel Coyle (IRL); 5) Falkirk Farm’s For Gold, Jordan Coyle (IRL); 6) Telmo Busca Roca’s Gingo, Fernando Martinez Sommer (MEX); 7) Gerhard Rauch’s Colestus Cambridge, Katharina Rhomberg (AUT); 8) Thomas Williams’ Chatondo, Robert Whitaker (GBR).
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Class 3 Sport Ireland Classic:
1) Spy Coast Farm’s Out of the Blue Scf, Shane Sweetnam (IRL); 2) Kaliyuga S.L.’s Legend, Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP); 3) Coolmore Show jumping’s Quintini, Max Wachman (IRL); 4) Susan Magnier’s Tipperary, Cian O'Connor (IRL); 5) Hofgut Albführen Gmbh’s Albfuehren's Maddox, Steve Guerdat (SUI); 6) Breen Equestrian and Quirke Sport Horses’ Cuick Star Kervec, Shane Breen (IRL); 7) Liam Nicholas’ Express Trend, Jessica Burke (IRL); 8) As Trading and Stud 111’s Clown Of Picobello Z, Abdel Saïd (BEL).
Class 4 International Seven and Eight-year-olds:
1) Max O'Reilly Hyland’s BP Limitless, Niamh McEvoy (IRL); 2) Bravo Hughes’ Hhs Cyprus, Michael Pender (IRL); 3) Adrian Williams and Paula Williams’ Playboy Jt Z, Rhys Williams (IRL); 4) Susan Fitzpatrick’s Keatingstown Mister Cool, Susan Fitzpatrick; 5) Ciara Walsh McIntyre’s Tullogher Lady Liberty, Gerard O'Neill (IRL); 6) Stal 't Paradijs, Gudrun Patteet and Sea Coast Horses Bvba’s Sea Coast Queen B Van 'T Paradijs, Gudrun Patteet (BEL); =7) Ronnoco Jump’s Obora's Laura, Cian O'Connor (IRL); Bravo Hughes’ Hhs Cornetta, Michael Pender (IRL).
Thursday, August 10
Class 5 Speed Derby:
1) Ballywalter Stables’ Carrera Denfer, Bertram Allen (IRL); 2) Shane Breen and Team Z7’s Z7 Ipswich, Shane Breen (IRL); 3) Marguerite Ryan’s Cavalier Teaca, Jack Ryan (IRL); 4) Bravo Hughes’ Hhs Vancouver, Michael Pender (IRL); 5) Luigi Baleri’s Viper Z, Martin Fuchs (SUI); 6) Jordan Coyle and Elan Farm’s Eristov, Jordan Coyle (IRL); 7) Tirnaskea Stud’s Pico, Alexander Butler (IRL); 8) Isabel José De Mello’s Hhs Washington, Duarte Seabra (POR).
Class 6 Cashel Palace Hotel Stakes:
1) Hk Horses’ Consulent de Prelet Z, Richard Howley (IRL); 2) Qin Yu Pang’s Calculatus, Harry Allen (IRL); 3) Elia Construction Sa’s Levis de Muze, Ioli Mytilineou (GRE); 4) Parco Sport Horses Est’s Vistogrand, Denis Lynch (IRL); 5) Spy Coast Farm’s Out of the Blue Scf, Shane Sweetnam (IRL); 6) Carol Gee and Duarte Seabra’s Dourados 2, Duarte Seabra (POR); 7) Marguerite Ryan’s Bbs McGregor, Jack Ryan (IRL); 8) Kaliyuga S.L.’s Legend, Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP).
Friday, August 11
Class 7 International Seven- and Eight-year-old:
1) Ciara Walsh McIntyre’s Tullogher Lady Liberty, Gerard O'Neill (IRL); 2) Ronnoco Jump Ulc’s Obora's Laura, Cian O'Connor (IRL); 3) Daniel Etter and Luc Henry’s Picobello Van'T Roosakker, Steve Guerdat (SUI); 4) Carol Gee’s Leonardo, Francis Derwin (IRL); 5) Dermot Walsh’s Lvs Goldrush H, Ethen Ahearne (IRL); 6) Baden Powell’s Curraghgraigue Jack Bro, Gemma Phelan (IRL); 7) Jos Lansink Horses Bv’s Kannem J.A. Z, Jack Ryan (IRL); 8) Beyeart Farm’s Pallieter Vd N.Ranch, Loewie Joppen (NED).
Class 8 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Ireland:
1) Switzerland: Steve Guerdat, Venard de Cerisy; Bryan Balsiger, Chelsea Z; Martin Fuchs, Leone Jei; Edouard Schmitz, Gamin Van'T Naastveldhof; 2) Ireland: Michael Duffy, Cinca 3; Michael Pender, Hhs Calais; Cian O'Connor, Eve d'Ouilly; Shane Sweetnam, James Kann Cruz; 3) Mexico: Nicolas Pizarro, Pia Contra; Fernando Martinez Sommer, Cor Bakker; Federico Fernandez, Romeo; Jose Antonio Chedraui Eguia, H-Lucky Retto; 4) France: Francois Xavier Boudant, Brazyl du Mezel; Aurelien Leroy, Croqsel de Blaignac; Roger Yves Bost, Delph de Denat Hdc; Olivier Perreau, Gl Events Dorai d'Aiguilly; 5) Belgium: Abdel Saïd, Bonne Amie; Yves Vanderhasselt, Jeunesse; Gudrun Patteet, Sea Coast Enjoy Z; Jérôme Guery, Floris TN; 6) Netherlands: Bas Moerings, Ipsthar; Loewie Joppen, Havel van de Wolfsakker Z; Leopold van Asten, VDL Groep Iron Z; Kevin Jochems, La Costa; 7) Spain: Manuel Fernandez Saro, Jarlin de Torres; Carolina Aresu Garcia Obregon, Domperignon; Eduardo Alvarez Aznar, Bentley de Sury; Sergio Alvarez Moya, Puma HS; 8) Great Britain: Samuel Hutton, Oak Grove's Laith; Sienna Charles, Stardust; Tim Gredley, Medoc de Toxandria; Harry Charles, Romeo 88.
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Saturday, August 12
Class 9 Royal Dublin Society Stakes:
1) Sofia Abramovich’s Valkiry de Zance, Sienna Charles (GBR); 2) Ronnoco Jump’s Cathalina, Tom Wachman (IRL); 3) Stall Zet’s Chavira, Harry Charles (GBR); 4) Stoeterij Duyselshof’s VDL Groep Miss Untouchable, Leopold van Asten (NED); 5) Louisa Church’s Inpulss, Jessica Burke (IRL); 6) Sea Coast’s Sea Coast Monalisa Van'T Paradijs, Gudrun Patteet (BEL); 7) Hofgut Albführen Gmbh’s Albfuehren's Maddox, Steve Guerdat, (SUI); 8) Carl Hanley Sporthorses Gmbh’s Chappo Chey, Jake Hunter (AUS).
Class 10 Dublin Stakes:
1) Ballywalter Stables and Maximillian Lill’s Edison de Hus, Bertram Allen (IRL); 2) Ariel Grange’s Gisborne VDL, Daniel Coyle (IRL); 3) Minister For Defence’s Glengarra Wood, Commandant Geoff Curran (IRL) 4) Ballywalter Stables’ Iron Lady van de Zuuthoeve, Harry Allen (IRL); 5) Jean-Claude Viollet’s d'Orient Batilly, Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP); 6) Jos Lansink Horses Bv and Michel Spaas’ Catch-Me Van Berkenbroeck, Jack Ryan (IRL); 7) Falkirk Farm’s For Gold, Jordan Coyle (IRL); 8) Rock Of Cashel, Tom Wachman (IRL).
128cm / International Riders Pairs Relay:
1) Michael Pender (IRL); Thomas Meagher, Little Miss Big Time 0/57.09; 2) Robert Whitaker (GBR); Alice Steele, Zulus Dream 0/59.37; 3) Jack Ryan (IRL); Colm Widger, Creevelea Fire Fox X332 4/59.82; 4) Jake Hunter (AUS); Tim Hawkins, Neary Perfect 0/59.99; 5) Jessica Burke (IRL); Lucy Kent, Magnificant Magnet 4/61.64; 6) Pius Schwizer (SUI); Katelyn Horgan, Hilin Ravel 4/62.85; 7) Hendrik-Jan Schuttert (NED); Ronan Duffy, Twinkle Star Cedar 4/62.96; 8) Tim Gredley (GBR); Sarah McLaughlin, Linde Hoeve’s Ricardo 4/63.19.
Class 11 Defender Puissance:
1) Minister For Defence’s Bishops Quarter, Commandant Geoff Curran (IRL) 0-0-0-0-0, 2) Jordan Coyle and Elan Farm’s Eristov, Jordan Coyle (IRL) 0-0-0-0-4; 3) Paul Van Den Bosch’s Hearton du Bois Halleux, Michael Pender (IRL) 0-0-0-4; 3) Hugh Fitzpatrick’s Erne Riverrun, Brendan Murphy (IRL) 0-0-0-4; =5) Sharon Fitzpatrick’s Keatingstown Z Wellie Two, Daniel McAlinden (IRL) 0-0-4; =5) Nano Healy and Conan Wright’s Kallahen, Conan Wright (IRL) 0-0-4; =5) Brigitte Schreier and Kurt Schreier’s Christina, Pius Schwizer (SUI) 0-0-4; =5) Tirnaskea Stud’s Pico, Alexander Butler (IRL) 0-0-4.
Sunday, August 13
Class 12 International Seven- and Eight-year-olds:
1) Gbbs International’s Thor Ter Wilgen Z, Kevin Gallagher (IRL); 2) Carol Gee’s Leonardo, Francis Derwin (IRL); 3) Baden Powell’s Curraghgraigue Jack Bro, Gemma Phelan (IRL); 4) Beyeart Farm’s Pallieter Vd N.Ranch, Loewie Joppen (NED); 5) Sharon Fitzpatrick’s Gallardo Z, Susan Fitzpatrick (IRL); 6) Stal 't Paradijs, Gudrun Patteet and Sea Coast Horses Bvba’s Sea Coast Queen B Van 'T Paradijs, Gudrun Patteet (BEL); 7) Arturo Fasana and Céline Fasana’s Karel Doorman, Edouard Schmitz (SUI); 8) Daniel Etter and Luc Henry’s Picobello Van'T Roosakker, Steve Guerdat (SUI).
The ‘John Higgens’ Memorial Perpetual Challenge Trophy (Cup 60), presented by the RDS in memory of John Higgens, K.S.G. To be awarded to the owner of the winner of the International 7 & 8 Year Old Championship: Gbbs International’s Thor Ter Wilgen Z, Kevin Gallagher (IRL).
The ‘Corry’ Perpetual Challenge Trophy (Cup 154), presented by the RDS to the winning rider of the ‘John Higgens’ Trophy, awarded for the International 7 & 8 Year Old Championship: Gbbs International’s Thor Ter Wilgen Z, Kevin Gallagher (IRL).
Class 13 Speed Championship:
1) Elan Farm’s Ariso, Jordan Coyle (IRL); 2) Coolmore Show jumping’s Donegal, Cian O'Connor (IRL); 3) Luigi Baleri’s Viper Z, Martin Fuchs (SUI); 4) Hk Horses’ Mansini Ltd, Richard Howley (IRL); 5) L.C.J. Berben’s Chilli B, Alexander Butler (IRL); 6) Shane Breen and Team Z7’s Z7 Ipswich, Shane Breen (IRL); 7) Jose Antonio Chedraui Eguia’s Good Limit, Jose Antonio Chedraui Eguia (MEX); 8) Clare Hughes’ Cuffesgrange Cavadora, Seamus Hughes Kennedy (IRL).
Class 14 Longines International Grand Prix of Ireland:
1) Lionel Maurice’s Brazyl du Mezel, Francois Xavier Boudant (FRA); 2) Ann Thompson and Harry Charles’s Romeo 88, Harry Charles (GBR); 3) Hg Sportpaarden’s Casablanca-H, Samuel Hutton (GBR); 4) Aiden McGrory’s Pacino Amiro, Bertram Allen (IRL); 5) Heather Black’s Highland President, Trevor Breen (IRL); 6) Olivier De Coulon’s Chelsea Z, Bryan Balsiger (SUI); 7) As Trading’s Bonne Amie, Abdel Saïd (BEL); 8) Katherine Duffy and Hmf Equestrian’s Zilton Sl Z, Michael Duffy (IRL).
Best International Athlete / Best Irish Athlete:
1) Jordan Coyle (IRL) 23.0; 2) Bertram Allen (IRL) 20.0; 3) Richard Howley (IRL) 18.0; 4) Michael Pender (IRL) 17.0; 5) Shane Breen (IRL) 15.0; 6) Sienna Charles (GBR) 14.0; =7) Commandant Geoff Curran (IRL) 13.0; =7) Harry Charles (GBR) 13.0.