OCALA CSI***-W

Irish-breds feature in Ocala World Cup

THE Galway-bred Codarco (Darco x Orame) was the highest placed Irish Sport Horse in the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier at Ocala, Florida, last Sunday. Ridden by the USA’s Chloe Reid, the 10-year-old stallion picked up four faults against the clock to finish in sixth place.

Dougie Douglas (Douglas x High Roller) (ISH) was seventh under Katie Dinan (0/4 50.09), while American-based Irish rider Christina Kelly finished in eighth place. Mounted on the Irish Sport Horse The Kingdom (Lux x Mohill Gypsy), Kelly was one of 18 first round clears, but faulted once in the jump-off in a time of 50.23. The class was won by USA’s Todd Minikus and Babalou 41 (0/0 47.77).

O’Connor third

CO Meath’s Cian O’Connor picked up a third place finish in the $35,000 Sovaro 1.50m aboard Chansonette Farm LLC’s Concho. The nine-year-old gelding by Cassaro 5 posted a double clear in 42.48 seconds, behind American winner Andrew Ramsey and Stranger (0/0 39.27).

Cournane placed

CAPT Brian Cournane was the best of the Irish in last Friday’s $35,000 Hallow Creek Farms 1.50m aboard the Irish Sport Horse Javas Keltic Mist (Ard VDL Douglas x Clover Hill).

In the super-fast class, which yielded a total of 17 clear rounds, Cournane posted a clear in 76.51 seconds to slot into seventh place. Ireland’s Christina Kelly guided The Kingdom (ISH) to eighth in 79.54. America’s Jessica Springsteen won the class with Davendy, clear in 69.73 seconds.

WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL

Sweetnam fourth

CORK’s Shane Sweetnam was fourth in last Friday’s five-star $35,000 Illustrated Properties 1.45m with Spy Coast Farm’s Cyklon. Sweetnam guided the 16-year-old stallion by Cardento to a clear round in 60.50 seconds, within half a second of the top three finishers. Kevin Babington was back in eighth place, also producing a clear round with Double O Seven in 62.12. America’s Lillie Keenan emerged the winner with Be Gentle.

Trained by Ireland’s Cian O’Connor, Keenan was the only rider to break the 60 seconds mark when clear in 59.83 seconds.

O’Shea second

LIMERICK’s Paul O’Shea picked up €10,000 for his second place finish in last Sunday’s two-star 1.50m Grand Prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida. Riding Skara Glen’s Presence (Contendro I x Nekton), O’Shea was the second fastest of 11 combinations in the jump-off when stopping the clock in 38.75 seconds with the nine-year-old stallion. America’s Jonathan McCrea was victorious aboard the Irish Sport Horse Special Lux (Lux Z x Coille Mor Hill).

Kenny placed

CO Offaly’s Darragh Kenny placed third in last Thursday’s two-star 1.45m aboard Valenbtino D’Elte with a clear in 58.60 seconds. Sligo’s Darragh Kerins was seventh with Silteplait De Circee (0/66.00), in a class won by Jonathan McCrea and the Irish Sport Horse Special Lux (0/56.84).

Chawke wins The Ridge Grand Prix

CO Laois’ James Chawke took the honours in last Saturday’s $15,000 1.40m Grand Prix at The Ridge in Wellington, Florida. Leading home an Irish 1-2, Chawke stopped the clock in 40.61 abaord Vanessa Mannix’s GK Coco Chanel, almost four seconds faster than Galway’s Stephen Moore in second place.

Moore guided Vlock Show Stable’s Istafan Sissi to a clear in 44.55, and also slotted into fifth place aboard Nora Gray’s Dior.