TIPPERARY’s Shane Breen was crowned leading rider at the five-star show in Valence, France, after scoring one win and a podium place finish in Sunday’s five-star Grand Prix.

In Saturday’s 1.50m speed class, Breen guided the nine-year-old stallion Ipswich van de Wolfsakker (Carembar De Muze x Quick Star) to the win, collecting €9,500. Drawn 27th to jump out of 39 starters, they crossed the line clear in 68.01 seconds to overtake Germany’s Christain Ahlmann who had held the lead with Cornado II.

Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet and MJT Nevados came closest to beating Breen’s time, but were still almost two seconds slower than the Irish winners. The win came just one week after he scored another victory with the same horse in the Sport Ireland Classic at the Dublin Horse Show.

Breen finished up a good week at the French venue when taking the runner-up spot in the Grand Prix with Team Z7’s Laith (Lord Z x Weinberg).

Eleven combinations made it through to the jump-off and, when second to go, Breen looked like he had almost done enough to win the class when breaking the beam in 36.40 seconds.

However, American world number one Kent Farrington scorched to victory when second last to go with Gazelle. They crossed the line clear in a time of 35.32 to pocket €75,000, while Breen collected €60,000 for second.

“When I jumped the vertical at the end of the arena, before the turn, I took a little bit of care and right there thought that I was wide from the fence I knew I had left the door open for the following riders and of obviously, the world number one closed it!” Breen said afterwards.

The British-based rider was crowned leading rider of the show and was awarded a brand new Mercedes convertible, which will come in handy as the Tipperary man said he was on the lookout for a new car.

Galway’s Michael Duffy also made it into the jump-off with EFS Top Contender. A stumble on landing after a fence midway through their second round almost saw the pair part company and only a brilliant piece of riding from Duffy saw him remain in the saddle. However the horse’s bridle became dislodged, forcing Duffy to retire on course.

DUFFY WIN

Duffy had better luck on Friday night when he scored a commanding win in the Prix MMA Speed Class with the 12-year-old stallion Millfield Ultymate (Ulysses M2S x Condios).

Duffy crossed the line clear in 64.74 seconds, almost three seconds faster than French runner-up Edward Levy, to collect €7,500 with Alona Soloviona’s stallion. This was the combinations first FEI show together and the horse was previously ridden by Breen, for a brief period.

That win came after the pair were pipped at the post the previous day, finishing second in Thursday’s two-phase class to pick up another €5,600. Frenchman Julien Epaillard won the class with Safari D Auge.