KILKENNY’s Richie Moloney recorded a podium finish in the in the $380,000 Rolex five-star Grand Prix at Tryon, North Carolina, USA, last Sunday. Riding the 14-year-old stallion Carrabis Z, the Irish rider took third place in what was an exciting three-way jump-off. Last to go, Moloney looked set to deliver a clear, but four faults at the last saw his hopes of a win dashed as he crossed the line in 35.63 seconds. Mexico’s Eugenio Garza took second place with with Bariano, clear in 35.91. Taking the win was America’s World No.1, Kent Farrington with Gazelle who lodged a clear in 34.67. Further down the line in ninth place was Cork’s Shane Sweetnam with Chaqui Z, four faults in 78.55.

Earlier in the week, Sweetnam took third place in the 1.45m $35,000 Power and Speed class when he delivered a double clear with Don’t Touch Du Bois in 33.28 seconds. The class was won by Santiago Lambre and Casino who stopped the clock in 31.95. In the $35,000 Horseware Ireland Jumper Classic, Sweetnam was the best of the Irish when finishing in seventh place. Riding Don’t Touch Du Bois, he delivered a double clear in 45.106.

Lorcan Gallagher and Hunters Conlypso were best of the Irish in the $130,000 Suncast Welcome Stakes, finishing in sixth place after maintaining a clean sheet in the jump-off. Victory belonged to USA’s Marilyn Little and Clearwater. Other riders in the ribbons was Limerick’s Paul O’Shea riding Skara Glens Machu Picchu and Moloney again riding Carrabis Z who also went double-clear to finish seventh and eighth respectively.

Last Sunday, Ireland’s chef d’equipe Rodrigo Pessoa demonstrated his talent when he claimed the win in the 1.50m competition.

Riding Chaganus, he took top the win when stopping the clock in 39.865. Galway’s Andrew Bourns riding his own and his mother Deirdre’s CHS Inception had an unlucky four faults in the jump-off in 40.57 which saw them finish in sixth. Bred by Messrs Ard Ri Properties Ltd from Co. Cavan, CHS Inception (ISH) is a nine-year-old gelding by Clover Flush (ISH) out of Bohemia (ISH), by Harlequin du Carel (SF). Further down the line was Lorcan Gallagher and Hunters Conlypso in eighth place.

Young Horse Classes

In the Developing Jumper Series final, David O’Brien dominated. In the five-year-old division,Riding Maldonado SCF, a clear in 35.943 proved good enough to claim victory. Another foot-perfect performance with Maui SCF in 36.222 saw him take second place. In the six-year-old division and again riding another of Spy Coast Farm LLC’s string, Lazuli II SCF, a clear over the shortened course in 34.515 saw O’Brien take his second win in the young horse division.