No joy for Irish in Winter Equestrian Festival

Irish riders failed to make an impression in Saturday’s $372,000 World Cup grand prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida, but Darragh Kenny and Conor Swail scored a couple of consolation prizes in the run-up.

Two errors ended the World Cup challenge of Tipperary’s Kevin Babington and Shorapur, while Cork’s Shane Sweetnam (Eregast van’t Kiezelhof) and Kilkenny’s Richie Moloney (Carrabis Z) both retired after racking up 12 faults.

France’s Marie Hecart had a generous two seconds to spare in victory with Myself de Breve after quarter of the 40-strong field made the jump-off. Britain’s Ben Maher (Diva II) proved next best when producing the only other clear round.