Breen and his own ten year-old stallion Balloon navigated a stylish zero-penalty start and in the jump-off came home clear once more in a time of 37.14.

However, Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat with Nino des Buissonnets shaved just over a second off the Irishman’s time to take the runner-up spot, while France’s Patrice Delaveau and Orient Express collected the 30,000 euro first prize with a time of 34.23, almost three seconds faster than Breen.

However, the Irish rider not only took home 18,000 euro for his third place, but now holds fifth position in the leaderboard after two legs of the Longines/FEI World Cup Jumping rankings for the 2013/2014 season.

Breen also took a third place with Balloon in Saturday’s Grand Prix at the five-star Finnish venue.

Note from Horse Sport Ireland

The Tipperary rider faced down four riders from the home nation in the jump-off and outpaced Robert Whitaker, one of Britain’s top-ranked international riders, by just over half a second to claim the cup and leave the Englishman in the runner-up spot.

Breen, who was riding Miss SJ Knight’s dark bay mare Zarnita, collected the 3,000 euro first prize after beating a starting field of 26 to the trophy.

The 38 year-old Irish rider’s success today followed several top ten places at Hickstead since Thursday, and also a remarkable double clear round in the Nations’ Cup on Friday which helped Ireland finish in fourth place and earned Breen the Furusiyya Rider of the Day award.

Mayo’s Cameron Hanley, who was two years out of the saddle with a serious leg injury, this afternoon placed fourth in the three-star Grand Prix at Arezzo in Italy with Antello Z. This evening Cork’s Billy Twomey, who was kept out of competition since late last year following a serious back operation, finished in third place at Spain’s two-star Grand Prix in Oliva with his long-time partner Tinka’s Serenade.

Both riders have only returned to international competition in recent weeks, and both have recovered from medical conditions that at one stage threw serious doubts over their show jumping future.

Meanwhile in France, Tipperary brothers Trevor and Shane Breen had a family celebration after finishing in the top three of Hardelot’s three-star Grand Prix tonight. Younger brother Trevor slotted Adventure de Kannan into second place behind Britain’s Laura Renwick and Oz de Breve, while Shane Breen placed third aboard the stallion Balloon.

Ireland also enjoyed several wins over the weekend, with Shane Carey and Ballymore Eustace placing first in the 1m45 competition at Hardelot, Denis Lynch and Quintus taking victory in today’s jump-off class at Lanaken in Belgium, and Anthony Condon winning the speed competition at Oliva with Value T.

Horse Sport Ireland Press Release, written by Colin McClelland