Irish show jumping success overseas

Monaco was the magnificent venue for the five star Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix on Saturday. With €300,000 on offer and it proved to be a very successful night for Irish riders.

Tipperary’s Shane Breen had his first ever Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix victory riding the 10 year-old stallion Ipswich van de Wolfsakker. Breen was one of six riders who managed to jump clear in the first round.

Fellow Tipperary man Denis Lynch provided the first clear round of the jump off which managed to secure him third place. Italy’s Alberto Zorzi with Fair Light van T Heike was second last to jump and looked to have the top prize within his grasp with a clear round and a time of 35.72.

Breen was the last competitor into the arena and managed to nab the top prize of just under €100,000 with a clear round and a time of 35.56.

Breen was delighted with the performance which has secured him a place in the Global Champions Tour play off at the end of the season in Prague, he said: “It’s fantastic, 18 riders go to it and I’m just so delighted – it’s a huge pot of money there and I’m looking forward to it.”

Belgium

On Sunday, the Irish success continued with Darragh Kenny scooping second at the five-star 1m60 Rolex Grand Prix at Knokke in Belgium.

Kenny was among 14 riders who made it to the jump off, aboard Ann Thompson’s stallion Balou du Reventon. Kenny jumped a brilliant clear round in a time of 39.06 seconds.

Niels Bruynseels aboard Gancia de Muze claimed first place in a time of 38.74. De Muze took home the prize of a new Audi car and €26,000.

Kenny remained in second and collected €60,000. Britain’s William Whitaker with Utamaro D Ecaussines collected €45,000 for his third place finish.