McMahon fourth in three-star Grand Prix

CO Clare’s Eoin McMahon finished fourth in the three-star 1.55m Grand Prix in Opglabbeek, Belgium, last Sunday. McMahon rode the experienced 15-year-old gelding Chacon 2 to one of eight clear rounds in the jump-off, breaking the beams in 35.44 seconds to earn €5,110. Victory in the class went to Britain’s Emma Stoker with Kontador VDM (0/0 34.02).

At the same venue, Galway’s Jessica Burke placed third in Friday’s 1.45m jump-off class.

She guided Liam Nicholas’ home-bred 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Express Trend to one of five clear rounds against the clock, in a time of 34.33 seconds to win €7,665.

Dutch rider Sanne Thijssen won with Con Quidam RB (0/0 32.83), and Frank Schuttert placed second with Horse Gym’s Carolina (0/0 33.62).

Two-star win for Alexander Butler in Kronenberg

ALEXANDER Butler won last Sunday’s two-star 1,40m jump-off class at the two-star show in Kronenberg, The Netherlands. The Co Meath native, who is based at Milestone Farm in The Netherlands, guided the nine-year-old gelding Gaston d’Ecaussinnes to the fastest clear round in 35.51 seconds to win €1,000. He beat Luxembourg’s Marcel Ewen (Laderas Flandria) into second place.

Mayo’s Jonathan Gordon was also in action and placed fourth in Friday’s 1.40m Table A aboard Conchita, clear in 59.73 seconds, before finishing sixth on the same day in the 1.45m jump-off class with Dorotheental’s Classica.

Conor Drain won the one-star Grand Prix in Kronenberg. Riding the 11-year-old mare Forever, who is owned by Conny Viscaal, Drain was the fastest of nine clears in the 15-horse jump-off, crossing the finish line in 36.89 seconds.

Jordan Coyle fourth in New York Grand Prix

DERRY’s Jordan Coyle finished fourth in the three-star 1.55m-1.60m Grand Prix in North Salem, New York, last Sunday. Coyle rode the Elan Farm-owned nine-year-old Centriko Volo to one of four clears in the first round of the class.

The pair picked up eight faults against the clock to finish fourth and collect just over €12,000. Olympic gold medallist McLain Ward landed victory with HH Azur, posting the fastest of just two clear rounds in the jump-off, in 38.93 seconds, ahead of compatriot Katie Dinan with Brego R’n B (0/0 42.05).

British Eventing announce Tokyo nominees

TWO Irish Sport Horses have been named on the nominated entries for the British eventing team at this summer’s Tokyo Olympic Games. British Equestrian and the British Eventing Selectors this week confirmed the nine athlete and horse combinations that will be submitted to the FEI.

They are Ros Canter with Allstar B, Laura Collett and London 52, Pippa Funnell with Majas Hope, Kitty King and Vendredi Biats, Piggy March with Brookfield Inocent (ISH), Tom McEwan with Toledo de Kerser, Harry Meade and Superstition, Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class (ISH), Nicola Wilson and Bulana. While the three reserves were named as Sarah Bullimore (Corouet), Ben Hobday (Shadow Man), Oliver Townend (Colley Master Class (ISH)). The four combinations who will travel to Tokyo will be announced on June 28th.