Jack Ryan third in Italian Grand Prix

KILKENNY’s Jack Ryan placed third in the two-star Grand Prix at Busto Arsizio in Italy last Sunday.

Ryan, who works for Shane Breen’s Breen Equestrian in Hickstead, rode his mother Marguerite’s home-bred BBS McGregor (VDL Cardento x Mark Twain xx) to one of eight clear rounds in the jump-off, breaking the beam in 40.85 seconds.

Victory went to Frenchman Nicolas Deseuzes with Stella de Preuilly (0/0 38.37).

David Simpson fourth in Prague

DAVID Simpson finished fourth in the two-star Grand Prix in Prague, Czech Republic, last Sunday. Riding his top mount, the 11-year-old gelding Foudre F, owned by the rider and Breen Equestrian, he was among nine clear rounds from the 40-strong startlist. A second clear against the clock in a time of 38.03 seconds earned them fourth place and €3,000. Victory went to the home nation and a horse previously ridden by Simpson - Gentlemen van het Veldhof with Ales Opatrny in the saddle. They posted the winning time of 35.58 seconds.

Shane Carey win

LIMERICK show jumper Shane Carey is in good form on the national circuit in Sweden, winning two classes at Henriksdal last weekend. The first came in Saturday’s 1.35m two-phase with the consistent 15-year-old mare Contenance 15. Carey’s clear round in 32.07 beat his wife, Linnea Ericsson-Carey, who rides for Denmark, into second place with Ringwood Cassero.

Carey then finished first and third in Sunday’s 1.40m two-phase. Victory came aboard Skorphults Baloutendro (0/0 32.89), and he placed third with the eight-year-old gelding Ides (0/0 34.07).