Lynch runner-up in Washington
TIPPERARY’s Denis Lynch was the runner-up in last Thursday’s 1.45m speed class at the four-star Washington International Horse Show. Riding Rushy Marsh Farm’s RMF Bella Baloubet (Baloubet du Rouet x Landadel), Lynch broke the beam in 54.41, two seconds slower than American winner Catherine Tyree and Bokai (0/ 52.89). Cork’s Shane Sweetnam finished fifth with Cobalt in 58.17.
The following day, Lynch and the 15-year-old grey stallion were fourth in the $50,000 International 1.50m speed final with a clear in 59.19. The class was won by USA’s McLain Ward with HH Carlos Z.
Ward announced the retirement of the gelding immediately after the class, saying: “I’ve kind of been saying that after his next good win I was going to probably call it a day. This was his last show for the year anyway, and this was a good moment. He’s always been a winner when it counted, so he did it again.”
Kennedy fourth
LIMERICK show jumper Paul Kennedy finished fourth in the 1.45m two-star Grand Prix in Opglabbeek, Belgium, last Sunday. Riding his mother Jane’s home-bred mare Cartown Danger Mouse (by Harlequin du Carel), Kennedy produced a clear round in 40.91 seconds. Anthony Condon finished eighth with Zira vh Kapelhof Z (0/0 42.35). The class was won by Canada’s Eric Lamaze and Fine Lady 5.
Co Louth’s Kevin Thornton won the five and six-year-old young horse final aboard Maddison (Numero Uno x Indoctro) with a double clear in 23.03 seconds.
Condon was fourth with Guadelupe, ahead of Tom Slattery in sixth and seventh place with Larca van Erpecome and Haufom, respectively. Condon won the young horse class on Friday.
Duffy third in Oliva Grand Prix
GALWAY’s Michael Duffy was best placed of the Irish in the two-star Grand Prix in Oliva, Spain, last weekend. Riding Graham and Ben Dalton’s talented 11-year-old stallion EFS Top Contender (Lauriston x Continue), Duffy picked up four faults in the four-horse jump-off to finish in third place and collect €4,500. The class was won by Britain’s Jamie Wingrove and Bart VI (0/0 38.26).
Duffy and Ryan win
BALLINA’s Alex Duffy picked up a win in Saturday’s one-star 1.40m aboard Peter Simons’ Ultimate Z (Untouchable Z x Boy B) at the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour in Oliva, Spain.
The combination produced the quickest clear round against the clock in 36.59 seconds to pick up €750. At the three-star show in St Lo, France, his younger brother, Michael G. Duffy, was third in the 1.45m with the Irish Sport Horse Lapuccino 2 (by SIEC Livello).
Tipperary’s Thomas Ryan scored another Irish win in Oliva, in Friday’s two-star 1.40m with Sharena (Stakkato Gold x Raphael), producing the quickest round in 68.66. Swiss-based Niall Talbot finished third in Friday’s 1.45m with Caracter (0/0 32.31), ahead of Michael Duffy and ESF Top Contender in fifth (0/0 33.68).