CARLOW show jumper Jason Foley has been on a brilliant run of form since leaving Ireland for mainland Europe at the end of last summer and that continued last weekend when he won the two-star 1.45m Grand Prix in Sentower Park, Belgium.

Riding Guy Bloodstock’s 14-year-old gelding Lyonel D, Foley was among eight clears from the 49 starters in the first round. Just five managed to keep a clean sheet against the clock and Foley was best of them in a time of 38.43 to claim the top spot and €6,550. Belgium’s Sacha Beghuin took second place with Elcup van Beek II Z in a time of 39.06, ahead of France’s Guillaume Foutrier with Corneska de La Faize Z in third (0/0 40.31).

Foley scored three other wins at the venue, including the one-star 1.30m Grand Prix on Sunday aboard Home Farm Equestrian’s nine-year-old mare Lady Angeles. The combination were double clear in 33.85 seconds, just beating Mayo’s Ciaran Nallon in the runner-up spot. Nallon rode Cameron Hanley’s eight-year-old mare Showoff AF Z, bred by Enda Carroll’s Ashford Farm, to a clear in 34.20. On Saturday, Foley won the two-star 1.45m Table A aboard the 14-year-old stallion Warriors Glory, owned by Home Farm Equestrian. From eight clears, Foley landed victory in 62.77 seconds, just ahead of Belgium’s Claire Putters with High Fly Special.

Mikey Pender third in Vilamoura

MIKEY Pender kept up his good run of form in Vilamoura last weekend when finishing third in the three-star 1.50m Grand Prix. He guided Marion Hughes’ home-bred 11-year-old gelding HHS Fast Forward (Heritage Fortunas x Cavalier Royale) to one of five double clears in 40.06 seconds, earning €7,890. Victory went to France’s Jerome Hurel with Byron du Telman (0/0 39.40). The Irish-bred Hello William, bred by Lissava Stud, was second under Britain’s Oliver Fletcher.

Sean Monaghan won a three-star 1.30m class at the venue, he guided the nine-year-old ES Coco Kan to the fastest clear round in 60.27 seconds.