THE Irish-bred five-star show jumping horse Fernhill Curra Quin, by Harlequin du Carel, competed in Bordeaux with Portuguese rider Duarte Seabra for Kilkenny owner Carol Gee.

Just returned to the European circuit after an autumn rest, Harley, as he is known was the only Irish-bred horse in the international classes. His first show of the year was Nante two-star and then onto the five-star Bordeaux where Portuguese selectors were assessing their possible World Championship horses for Tryon.

Carol Gee explained: “It was a big ask bringing Harley here so early in the season, but we are pleased with the way he has taken to the five-star tracks. Duarte rode for me at the World Equestrian Games eventing in Lexington with my horse Fernhill Gloster Rebel and now he is aiming for the worlds at Tryon with Harley in show jumping.”

Duarte said: “We go to the Vilamoura Tour and then aim for the Nations Cups in Linz and Lisbon followed by the Global Champions Tour in Cascais, Estoril.

“After that we will know if we are going to America. Harley is very careful and very special in that he prefers people around him in the stables and all the time.

Gee added: “I bought him from Frances Derwin in Athlone when he was seven and gave him to Duarte to go show jumping. Duarte lost his brother in an eventing accident some years ago, so he decided to take up show jumping after the loss. It is easy for him to upgrade since Portuguese riders usually do both disciplines because of the lack of eventing venues in Portugal and Duarte was an expert in both fields.”

Formerly ridden by Michael Murphy, Harley was then ridden by Gee before she sent him to Portugal. “I used to ride him and he looked after me; had a great character and I knew he would suit Duarte.

“I try to own mainly Irish horses and I am delighted to have an Irish horse at this level. He is out of a Clover Hill dam and I adore Clover Hill pedigree. He was second in the four-star Linz Grand Prix and on the five-star Nations Cup team who took third in Sopot, Poland.

“Harley has given us a lot of satisfaction and Duarte is hoping for some good results in Vilamoura.” Meanwhile Gee’s event horse team with Frazer Duffy will be based in Sentower Park in Belgium for four weeks show jumping and getting fit for the season ahead and the Dublin qualifiers.

She flies to Florida this week to support the Irish Children on Horses teams and will commute to Vilamoura to support Harley and Duarte Seabra. In addition, Gee has a half share in one of William Fox Pitt’s horses going to Badminton and that will be another date not to miss.