Breen gets Ireland off to perfect start at Hickstead

By John Tynan

Friday, July 30, 2010

SHANE BREEN yesterday gave Ireland the perfect start at Hickstead ahead of today’s nations cup, taking two of the three international classes.

Breen, who has been based at the Sussex venue since his marriage to Chloe Bunn three years ago, had almost a second to spare with World Cruise in the opening jump-off class, the Bunn Leisure Trophy, when beating Britain’s Tim Stockdale on Fresh Direct Kalico Bay.

He followed this with victory in The Amlin Plus Eventing Grand Prix. The competition saw five seconds added to a rider’s time for every fence down and, while Breen and his Aachen Derby winner Dorado II produced one of only two clears, such was his performance he could have lowered a fence and still won.

Ireland currently lie third in the Meydan FEI Nations Cup Series following the stunning victory in the German Nations Cup at Aachen a fortnight ago. This, obviously, reads well.

However, examination of the leaderboard shows that Ireland share the position with Germany and Britain and, mathematically, could still, at the conclusion of next week’s final leg at Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show, be among the four to be relegated from the 10-nation series.

Breen yesterday conceded that such a prospect is unlikely, but says nobody is dropping their guard.

"We are in a good enough position not to worry too much about relegation, but we will not be taking anything for granted. Everybody has good teams here in Hickstead, but a top-three finish would do fine and we have a good enough team to do well, said Breen, who lines out in today’s nations cup with Carmena Z alongside Dermott Lennon (Hallmark Elite), Billy Twomey (Je t’Aime Flamenco) and Denis Lynch (Nabab’s Son).

The same four were this week named by manager Robert Splaine to contest the nations cup at next week’s Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show, though Twomey rides Tinka’s Serenade at the RDS. Also in the squad is Cian O’Connor (K Club Lady).

Earlier at Hickstead yesterday, US-based Corkman Shane Sweetnam placed fourth in the speed class with Spycoast Farm-owned bay mare Rolette.

Ireland are drawn fourth of what will only be nine teams in today’s competition, after Poland, with no points accumulated in the series and unable to field a team, withdrew from both Hickstead and Dublin.

lTHE organisers of next month’s Alltech World Equestrian Games have drastically reduced ticket prices to boost disappointing sales amid reported cashflow problems.

According to Horse And Hound magazine, WEG chief executive James Link has admitted that only 270,000 of 600,000 tickets had been sold. He admitted a complete sell-out may not be realistic.

Unsurprisingly, so, that WEG are offering a 30% discount on tickets bought by September 6 for endurance and early rounds of other events.

Still, it will cost what seems an extortionate $300 to $390 to watch the three-day event, while hotels are also said to have jacked up prices.

Horse and Hound also revealed that no British national newspapers will send no reporters to Kentucky, while the BBC will voice its commentary from London.

BALLINHASSIG GYMKHANA takes place at Goggin’s Hill, Co Cork, next Sunday at a venue adjacent to the "Mountain Church".

It will feature four arenas, staging 22 classes, including a 1.30m, a HSI Qualifier for amateurs and three sportsman’s contests. The starting time is 10.30am.

Enquiries: 087/2514215.

This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Friday, July 30, 2010