THE concluding 1.55m Leading Show jumper of the Year class at the Horse of the Year Show on Sunday evening was a great reflection on the Irish show jumpers in attendance at the NEC in Birmingham. Not only did Tipperary’s Trevor Breen and the nine-year-old gelding Kannoon Blue jump the only double clear (in 39.10 seconds) to win the class and €18,744 in prize money, but Jessica Burke took seventh place riding Seapatrick Toulon (ISH) (Toulon x Roundthorn Delaney by Heartbreaker, bred by Barry McCann) and young rider Niamh McEvoy rounded out the top 10 with Olympic GL FVD.

There were 31 starters in the class, with the best eight (six first-round clears and the two fastest four-faulters) proceeding to jump again. Breen’s closest challenger was Alexander McLean (GBR) on Gino F, who finished on four faults in 37.30 to place second, just ahead of Robert Whitaker (GBR) on Vermento in third (4/38.79).