Top Contender sold to Athina Onassis

MICHAEL Duffy’s Nations Cup mount ESF Top Contender has been sold to Greek show jumper Athina Onassis. The 12-year-old stallion by Laurison had huge success under British-based Duffy, including a vital clear round in the Nations Cup at Hickstead to help the Irish team to victory.

The pair were selected as the reserve combination for the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon in September but subsequently didn’t travel due to owners concerns surrounding the impending hurricane in North Carolina. Duffy took over the ride in June 2017 for owners Ben and Graham Dalton. The horse appeared at the two-star show in Lier last week under Onassis, who hit the headlines in Ireland in 2016 after buying MHS Going Global for a reported price of close to €10 million.

September Star of the Month

CONGRATULATIONS to the Irish silver medal-winning eventing team of Sam Watson, Sarah Ennis, Cathal Daniels and Padraig McCarthy, guided by chef d’equipe Sally Corscadden, who have been voted the Gain Equine Nutrition/The Irish Field Star of the Month for September. The team, who created history in Tryon, received over 50% of the public vote after their fantastic performance lifted the spirits of equestrian fans in Ireland.

Harry Ponsonby RIP

HENRY (Harry) Ponsonby sadly passed away at his home in Grove, Fethard, Co Tipperary, last Sunday. He is survived by his wife Rosemary, son Julian, daughters Jane and Rosanna, daughters and sons-in law. He will be missed by his grandchildren, relatives and many friends. The funeral took place in the Holy Trinity Church in Fetherd on Thursday.

Vilamoura GP win for Greg Broderick

TIPPERARY’S Greg Broderick took victory in Thursday’s €50,000 two-star Grand Prix in Vilamoura, Portugal. He partnered the Kerry McCahill-owned 10-year-old gelding Westbrook (Jaguar Mail x Cardento) to the fastest clear round in the eight-horse jump-off. Max O’Reilly Hyland finished in eighth place with Ahmed du Calvaire.