Breen and Gallagher land Grand Prix wins

Despite horse sport being suspended in Ireland under Level 5 restrictions, Irish riders had great success abroad over the weekend in Grand Prix competitions in Portugal and Spain.

Tipperary’s Shane Breen took the top spot in the Grand Prix at Vilamoura in Portugal with the 12-year-old gelding Z7 Ipswich.

Six of the 60 starters managed to jump clear in the opening round, with Breen posting what proved the winning clear in 40.41 seconds in the second round jump-off to collect almost €13,000.

Portugal’s Luciana Diniz and Conchento PS finished as runners-up with the only other double clear of the competition.

Galway’s Michael Duffy looked set to take the win when last to go with Zilton Sl Z. They were ahead on the clock jumping the last fence however they knocked the final obstacle and had to settle for third place at the finish.

At Valencia in Spain, Kevin Gallagher and the Irish sport horse Ballypatrick Flamenco came out on top in the two-star Grand Prix.

This 10-year-old gelding is by Je T’Aime Flamenco (BWP) out of Cruise Leaf (ISH), by Cruising and was bred in Co Kildare by Dr Noel Cawley.

One of 11 combinations to make it into the jump-off, Gallagher and the 10-year-old gelding stopped the clock clear in 38.94 seconds to take the top prize of €6,350. Cian O’Connor also took fourth place for Ireland with the Ronnoco Jump-owned Cadiz after a double clear round.

Badminton to run behind closed doors

It was announced last week that next year’s Badminton Horse Trials will run behind closed doors, but will maintain the possibility to potentially include a limited number of spectators should, come the spring, guidelines/restrictions in Britain allow organisers to do so.

Event director Jane Tuckwell said “We realise that this is not the scenario everyone would wish for but feel by announcing our intentions now it will give all involved in whatever capacity the opportunity to plan accordingly.

“To deliver the behind closed doors event will not be without its challenges, but we look forward to bringing you a great competition in partnership with Science Supplements and Mars Equestrian”.