Byrne in flying form

CO Longford’s Aisling Byrne got off to an excellent start at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Britain, winning the opening day’s amateur speed class aboard her own Celeste SPB Z, with a clear round in a time of 53.63 seconds. The nine-year-old Chippendale Z-sired mare then finished fifth in Friday’s speed stakes, before going on to place second in Sunday’s 1.40m Amateur Grand Prix, with a double clear round in 46.76 seconds, rounding off an excellent show for the amateur rider.

With her other mount, Perfect Rouge, Byrne was also placed in every class at the five-star show. The 14-year-old gelding by Papillon Rouge was seventh in the opening two-phase class. In Friday’s two-phase 1.35m, Byrne guided the gelding to third place with four faults in the second round in a time of 39.42. The pair ended the show with a fifth place finish in Sunday’s Accumulator.

Duffy win

MAYO’s Michael G Duffy scored a win in last Sunday’s 1.40m final at the three-star show in Redefin, Germany. Riding Carl Hanley Sporthorses Taormina (Toulan x Harry Potter), Duffy posted the fastest time of 29.66 seconds against the clock to take the victory.

At the same venue, Matt Garrigan placed fourth in Friday’s 1.40m aboard the Irish Sport Horse MHS La Scala (Verdi TN N.O.P x Cavalier).

Harry Allen fifth

WEXFORD’s Harry Allen was best of the Irish riders in the 1.40m Junior Grand Prix at Opglabbeek CSIOJ. Allen guided EH Quick Nina to a double clear in 36.75 seconds, just two places ahead of Jessica Kuehnle and Chrysander, clear in 40.36 seconds.

Allen sixth

IRELAND’s highest ranked rider Bertram Allen finished sixth in last Saturday’s 1.50m Falcon Stakes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Riding Izzy By Picobello (Cicero Z x Capriano), Allen faulted once against the clock to finish in a time of 43.37. America’s Jessica Springsteen came out on top with Davendy S (0/0 42.28).

Moloney sixth in Lummen

CO Waterford’s Peter Moloney was the sole Irish representative in Lummen’s three-star Belgian Grand Prix and he recorded a sixth place finish with the Team Harmony-owned D’Atlantique Royale. Seven combinations from the 59 starters made it into the jump-off, with Moloney first to go against the clock. A single fence down in 46.08 saw him finish sixth behind Spanish winner Julio Arias with Barnaby, who crossed the line clear in 45.59.

Moloney wins in Kentucky

THE Kentucky Spring Classic kicked off its three-star international competition at the Kentucky Horse Park on Wednesday with Kilkenny’s Richie Moloney and the Irish Sport Horse Slieveanorra claiming the $35,000 Welcome Speed Stakes. Moloney and his longtime partner Slieveanorra (Voltaire x Flagmount Diamond) produced a clear round in 61.88 seconds, to finished ahead of American runner-up Margie Engle and Bocksmann’s Lazio (63.06), while Cork’s Shane Sweetnam took third spot with Cyklon (63.53

Breen fifth in La Baule

HICKSTEAD-based Shane Breen, who jumped a double clear for Team Ireland in last Friday’s La Baule Nations Cup with Golden Hawk, placed fifth in Sunday’s 1.45m two-phase at the five-star show. Breen guided Ipswich Van De Wolfsakker (Carembar De Muze x Quick Star) to a double clear in 26.55 seconds. The class was won by Sweden’s Henrik Von Eckermann and Chacanno (0/0 24.88). Irish riders were out of luck in the five-star 1.60m Longines Grand Prix, where Brazil’s Pedro Muylaert was the winner aboard Prince Royal Z MFS (0/0 45.39). The 30-year-old is coached by Irish chef d’equipe Rodrigo Pessoa. Frenchman Patrice Delaveau took the runner-up place with Aquila HDC (0/0 45.94).