SEAMUS Hughes Kennedy and the ISH Cuffesgrange Cavadora (Z Wellie 72 x Luidam), bred by Eamonn Sheehan, were second in the CS12* 1.45m Grand Prix in Vilamoura, Portugal, at the weekend. Alexander Butler and the ISH Pico (Chekhov PZK x Carrolls Flight) were fifth in the same class and Hughes Kennedy also finished eighth with his other ride Castlefield Hera, another Irish Sport Horse by Plot Blue out of Little Miss Puissance (Puissance) and bred by Jim O’Neill.

Some other Irish performances of note include Molly Taylor’s win in the CSI1* 1.20b Table A class with L-Piccol. She was also third with Hard to Beat (Arko III X Darco). Alex O’Connor and Kingsborough Verdiva (ISH) were sixth in the CSI1* 130a Table A and Isabel Fitzpatrick and Don Amour de Betze Z were third in the CSI1* 130b Two Phases Special. Frances Derwin was second with Parvati Aeg in the CSI2* Two Phases Special.

Grand Prix win for Irish-bred

The Irish Sport Horse Rockwell RC, bred in Kilkenny by Ronan Byrne, took victory in Sunday’s three-star Grand Prix at Vejer De La Frontera in Spain.

Ridden by Germany’s Jana Wargers, Rockwell RC stopped the clock clear in 39.67 seconds to finish just over three seconds clear of their nearest challengers.

Rockwell RC is a 2014 mare by Kannan (KWPN) out of Urban Sea (ISH) by Guidam (SF). She was ridden by Jason Foley until July with whom she won many times, including a 1.50m CSI4* in Spain in March and a 1.45m CSI2* in Belgium in February.

Bertram placed in 3* Grand Prix of Beijing

Bertram Allen placed fourth in the CSI3* Longines Grand Prix in Beijing, China, on Saturday (October 14th) with Kick-Off AG (Prince van de Wolfsakker x Renis). They had an unfortunate four faults in the first round in a time of 73.64 seconds.

The pair had placed third in Thursday’s CSI3* Big Tour Warm-up competition, jumping clear in a time of 65.96 seconds.

This 13-year-old bay mare was previously campaigned by Belgian rider, Gilles Thomas.

IOC confirms equestrian events for 2028

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that the equestrian disciplines of dressage, show jumping and eventing will be included in the Los Angeles (LA) 2028 sports programme after an IOC Executive Board meeting held last week in Mumbai (IND).

“We are delighted with the IOC’s announcement that the equestrian disciplines at competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be on the Los Angeles 2028 sports programme,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“Equestrian has been part of the Olympics since 1912, and with such a strong heritage and enthusiasm for the sport in the US, we are looking forward to delivering successful and engaging Games, focused on the future and the values, which make it unique in the sporting landscape.”