SHANE Breen and the Irish-bred Compelling Z won tonight’s inaugural €20,000 Horse Sport Ireland Showjumping Masters at Emerald EC, which was broadcast live on RTÉ2.

The 10-year-old Chellano Z-sired stallion, bred in Co Waterford by Carmel and Dermot Ryan, was the best of three double clears against the clock. Breen, who is based at Hickstead in the UK was delighted to scoop the top prize and drive away in the Overlander two-horse truck.

Speaking afterwards, Breen said: “I am absolutely over the moon. I wondered had I gone a little bit too slow. Compelling Z is Irish-bred, Irish-owned and to come over here... he jumped wonderful tonight. Huge congrats to Horse Sport Ireland and everyone who made tonight happen, it has been a huge success.

“I’ve had many horses for Carmel and Dermot. They have been great supporters, to breed a horse like that is a great feeling, to win a big Grand Prix like this at home is great, I am delighted for them.”

Technical

Alan Wade built a big and technical 1.50m track, with the main problems coming at the red oxer with the water tray beneath, and the Horse Sport Ireland treble combination also caused its fair share of problems.

From 30 starters, 11 produced clears in the first round but sadly, with only eight coming back to contest the timed round, three of those clears missed out. One of them was UK-based Conor McMahon with El Wee Widge, who produced the first clear of the night when fourth to go.

Anthony Condon also missed out with Ajaccienne after his clear, and so too did Greg Broderick with the Irish Sport Horse Hybernia.

First to go against the clock was 19-year-old Jason Foley with the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse grey gelding Castlefield Vegas. The pair posted a fast time of 41.39 seconds but faulted at the second part of the double, what was the combination in the first round, to finish on four faults. He won the leading young rider prize and finished fifth overall.

David Simpson and Foudre F ran into trouble at the second and third fence and finished on a total of 12 faults. Former world champion Dermott Lennon was next to go with L’Esprit Hero Z and produced the first clear round in 42.54 seconds, which was eventually got enough for the runner-up spot.

Shane Breen gave it everything with Compelling Z and a strong gallop to the final oxer saw them break the beam in 41.44 seconds.

Oakingham Stud’s Eoin Gallagher knocked fence three to finish with four faults in 43.27 aboard Faltic HB. Co Down-based Egyptian rider Sameh El Dahan and the Irish-bred WKD Aimez Moi finished with eight faults when faulting at both parts of the double.

Second last to go, speed merchant Richard Howley and Arlo de Blondel took off at a high pace and clocked the fastest time of the night (39.78) but the first part of the double on the ground meant they had to settle for fourth place.

Last to go, Denis Lynch was out to win after travelling from The Netherlands and, aboard GC Chopin’s Bushi, looked like he was close but their time of 42.54 was just fractions slower than Shane Breen to slot into third place.

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