First victory for Irish as Lennon stamps class in Speed Derby
The Dutch-based world champion, aboard I Caesar, stamped his class on the competition, coming home over a second faster than compatriot Captain Shane Carey and Lismakin as Ireland completed a one-two.
Next best of the Irish was Corkman Billy Twomey. The Corkman finished second in Wednesday’s speed class, but could do no better than 10th with Killy Jones yesterday.
In yesterday’s opener, Harry Marshall proved the best of the Irish, his first-round four faults on the Cavalier gelding All Shook Up putting him in 12th place in the Power and Speed.
The US recorded its second win of the show, with Jeffrey Welles jumping one of only two double clears in 33.07. The other combination to do so was Briton Robert Whitaker on the stallion Ublesco in 33.28.
Meanwhile, Jessica Kürten, who pulled out of the Irish team to contest today’s nations cup, has remained static in the world show jumping rankings.
Kürten, who competes in Germany this weekend, remains outside the top 10 in the world rankings in 11th position with 1954 points, three behind Belgian Ludo Phillippaerts. However, while Kürten is due to drop 250 points next month, Phillippaerts sheds 409. Breaking into the top 10 is hugely beneficial to a rider, as it gains them automatic qualification to the lucrative World Cup shows.
ROBERT Splaine last Monday confined his European Championships disappointment to the past when winning the Dun Laoghaire Grand Prix at Shankill, Co Dublin.
Demonstrating his stallion Clarion Hotels Coolcorron Cool Diamond was fully recovered from a fall, the Corkman came out tops in a two-man jump-off to claim the e2,700 top prize.
Ten days previously, Splaine competed in the European Championships in San Patrignano, Italy, determined to help the Irish cause despite his stallion coughing. However, the ailment took its toll, with Splaine being unseated and the horse going lame as a result of becoming entangled in a fence.
Last Monday, these troubles were put behind him, as the Belgooly rider celebrated his win.
“It’s great to have the horse back in the winner’s enclosure. He’s in top-notch form. I am absolutely delighted,” he said.
Splaine was one of only two riders from a 19-strong field to make it to the jump-off. Drawn first, he produced another clear. Stephen Smith took up the challenge, but when he four-faulted with Laraghlease Western Desert, he retired.
The show’s leading rider Edward Doyle was placed third with the fastest first-round four faults.
Harry Marshall, riding Splendido, finished fourth. This, combined with his victory the previous day with All Shook Up at the South County Dublin Show, saw him move up one place to fourth in the IJM TimberFrame League on 45 points.
Cian O’Connor continues to top the league on 85 points ahead of Sarah Kate Quinlivan (53pts) and Shane Breen (49pts).
IRELAND’S pony riders celebrated winning two bronze medals at the European Championships in Pratoni del Vitaro last weekend.
The eventing team of Kate Harrington (Ice Cool Bailey), Alida O’Connor (Prince Zola), Cormac O’Flynn (Russelstown Prince) and Ruth Robinson (Ballingore Flicka) were in the silver position going into Sunday’s show jumping phase.
However, a late charge by Germany saw them rise from fourth to second behind gold medallists Britain.
Meanwhile, Conor Liggett was the star of the show jumping team, producing a double clear with Bundy as he, Jessica Burke (Bean Alainn), Laura Brown (Shamrock Shuffle) and Stephen Duncan (Clogherboy Mirah) claimed the Ireland’s second bronze. Scoring 24 faults in the 12-nation competition, they finished behind gold medallists the Netherlands on eight and silver medallists Britain on 12.
The team lined out without star Stephen Latta. His pony Edna was withdrawn, with Brown and Shamrock Shuffle called in as replacements.
