Irish delight in Hamburg

Irish riders had great success at the Global Champions Tour and Derby Show in Hamburg last weekend. Bertram Allen and Molly Malone were at their best when they came out on top in the 1.50m speed class. Fourth to go in an eight horse jump-off, Allen and Molly Malone crossed the line clear in 39.95 seconds and would eventually collect a winners prize of over €20,000.

Driving home in style

Denis Lynch drove home in a Mercedes after winning the Championship of Hamburg with the fastest of four double clears on the stallion Echo. This pair went on to jump another double clear in the Global Champions League alongside Scott Brash on the winning Miami Glory team. This qualified Denis for the €300,000 Grand Prix. But by this time Echo appeared a bit tired and Lynch rightly retired him mid way through the first round.

Meanwhile Billy Twomey was having a busy time of it in the Derby classes. He first won the two-phase with Eindhoven. Then with his long time partner Diaghilev he took the Derby qualifier. They failed to defend their championship in Sunday’s Derby. A fast four in that had them end a good fourth this time behind winner Pato Muente of Slovakia.

Adding to the Irish haul of prizes Ross Mulholland and Calisto by Quasimodo won the four star jump-off classic with the fastest of five double clears.

Casall Ask retires

Rolf-Göran Bengtsson’s great campaigning stallion for Sweden, Casall ASK went out on a winning note last Saturday when taking the €300,000 Global Champions Tour Grand Prix at Hamburg. Last to go in a five horse jump-off this brilliant 18-year-old son of Caretino romped home to win by almost three seconds to score a final Grand Prix win of his long career. Immediately after the presentation of his final first prize came an emotional and loudly applauded retirement ceremony and his farewell lap of honour. “Danke Casall” said a huge banner by the famous Derby bank.