Win for McCarthy

IRELAND’s Oliver McCarthy continued his good run of form at Old Salem Farm Horse Show in New York, USA, where he enjoyed a win and a series of top placings.

McCarthy won a 1.30m class at the top show last Thursday on McLain Ward’s Emma. He followed that up by being third last Saturday in the competitive $15,000 speed derby at the venue. The young Irish rider, who is working for Ward, one of America’s top riders, also came second, again with Emma, in a 1.30m class this Wednesday.

Sweetnam close

CORK’s Shane Sweetnam took second and fourth in the $25,000 Bluegrass Classic at the Kentucky Horse Park last weekend. Winner Todd Minikus (Quality Girl) was chased all the way by Sweetnam, second on Eregast Van’t Kishane and fourth on Cyklon 1083 while Kilkenny’s Richie Moloney was eighth on Flamingo K in the competition.

The Kilkenny rider was also eighth in the $85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI**, won by Aaron Vale on Quidam’s Good. Moloney rode Elouise De Muze in the competition.

Sloan-Allen placed

JOANNE Sloan-Allen enjoyed good results in Palaiseau last weekend including third in the medium tour Grand Prix and fifth in the one star with Vera while Townhead Casita R was 18th in the big tour. Stable rider Sameh El Dahan was sixth in the one-star big tour Grand Prix with WDK Diva and third in the two-star Grand Prix with the Irish-bred Suma’s Zorro.

Talbot fifth

KILDARE’s Niall Talbot claimed fifth in the three-star Grand Prix at Busto Arsizio, Italy, with his consistent winner Nicos de la Cense. The duo also took a second place finish in a 1.45m class at the venue.

Gordon third

IRELAND’s Jonathan Gordon took a third place with Emma Brown in the two-phase class at Linz CSI****, Austria, last Saturday.