DAVID Simpson finished third in the four-star FEI World Cup Grand Prix at the Al Shira’aa Horse Show in Abu Dhabi last Sunday, which was won by Germany’s David Will.

Some 38 combinations started over the 1.55m track and 10 of those progressed to the jump-off, with just six going forward on zero faults. In the end, only two were able to produce double-clear rounds and Will was the faster of them aboard Babalou HD in 39.86 seconds.

Belgium’s Constant van Paesschen was also double clear, in the slower time of 41.77 with Isidoor van de Helle. Simpson, riding his own and Breen Equestrian’s 12-year-old gelding Foudre F picked up a single time fault in the first round, but a good clear against the clock in 48.50 seconds saw him take the final spot on the podium and a prize fund of €14,280.

Young horse win

Shane Breen won Sunday’s seven-year-old final with the Belgian-bred Z7 Porsche (Emerald x Cancara Z). The pair was the best of five double clear rounds in 33.61 seconds to earn the top prize of €1,000.

Breen was fourth in Friday’s four-star 1.40m aboard Vistogrand when double clear in 37.37 seconds. Victory in the class went to Belgium’s Wilm Vermeir with Joyride S.

One week after winning the two-star Grand Prix, Trevor Breen finished fifth on this occasion with Toyger, slowest of the five clears against the clock in 36.89 seconds. Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi landed victory for the home nation with Concordia (0/0 36.68).