IRELAND's Heike Holstein today (Sunday) recorded an impressive result at the four-star German show in Dortmund, taking eighth place in the Grand Prix Special with the Irish sport horse mare Sambuca (by Samarant) with a score of 66.404%.

Victory went to Germany’s Isabell Werth with Emilio 107 on a score of 79.128%.

On Friday in Dortmund, Heike Holstein, who is the reigning Irish national champion, achieved the first of two qualifying scores required for the 2019 FEI European Dressage Championships when scoring 68.217% with her home-bred Irish mare.

WEEKEND ROUND-UP

At Herning in Denmark, Mayo’s Cameron Hanley and the Irish sport horse ESI Toulouse finished as runners-up in Sunday’s two-star Grand Prix behind British winner Louise Saywell with Golden Arrow OL.

At Vilamoura in Portugal, Michael Pender and the Irish sport horse HHS Matilde finished fourth in the three-star Grand Prix.

Twenty-two-year-old Noelle Barry and Jolie VH Molenhof finished as runners up in the two-star Grand Prix at Gorla Minore in Italy where Jeremy Sweetnam also took fifth place for Ireland with Carthano.

BREEDING:

Sambuca (ISH) – 2009 Bay mare by Samarant (Hann) out of Astoria (ISH). Bred and owned by Heike Holstein

ESI Toulouse (ISH) – 2011 bay gelding by SIEC Livello (HOLST) out of Catina (BWP), by

Quasimodo VD Molendreef (BWP). Bred by Cian O’Connor, Co. Meath. Owner/Rider: Cameron Hanley (IRL)

MJM Pursuit (ISH) – 2009 bay mare by Aldato (KWPN) out of Mountain Mist (ISH), by

Limmerick (HOLST). Bred by Cyril Ferguson, Co. Tyrone. Owner: MJM Holdings Limited. Rider: Dermott Lennon (IRL)

HHS Matilde (ISH) – 2011 bay mare by Cardento (HOLST) out of A Touch Of Grey (ISH). Bred

by Marion Hughes, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Bravo Hughes Ltd. Rider: Michael Pender (IRL)