Two Top 20s For Ireland at Four Star Kentucky
IRISH riders achieved two top twenty places at the prestigious Rolex Kentucky four-star event in the US at the weekend.
Written by Colin McClelland
Austin O’Connor and the Irish Sport Horse Balham Houdini finished on a combined penalty score of 75.2 in 16th place, while another Irish Sport Horse, Luckaun Quality, took Tim Bourke to 18th place on 78.5.
Winner of the three-day event was Germany’s Michael Jung and Fischerrocana FST, with a total of 39.3 penalties.
A total of six Irish Sport Horses also finished in the top ten at Kentucky, with Britain’s William Fox-Pitt in fourth place on Bay My Hero, the USA’s William Coleman and Obos O’Reilly claiming sixth, with another US rider, Boyd Martin in seventh on Master Frisky.
Britain’s Nicola Wilson was eighth on Annie Clover, the USA’s Phillip Dutton ninth aboard Fernhill Fugitive, and Australia’s William Levett tenth with Improvise.
At Ireland’s three-day event in Ballindenisk, Co. Cork, Bandon’s Michael Ryan was best of the Irish with a third place in the CCI3* with Dunlough Striker (ISH), while Joseph Murphy claimed fifth on DHL Top Story. The three-star was won by Italy’s Giovanni Ugolotti on Oplitas.
In the CCI2* Ciaran Glynn and Gee Que (ISH) placed fourth in a competition won by Britain’s Oliver Townend and Mr Hiho, while Joseph Murphy again featured in the one-star, finishing fourth on Bellscross Starlight (ISH)(TIH), with Conor Maguire in sixth with Derroon Wood (ISH)(TIH). The class was won by Britain’s Piggy French and Morswood.
The Irish Nations’ Cup team of Sarah Ennis on Horseware Stellor Rebound (ISH), Joseph Murphy with Westwinds Hercules (ISH), Sam Watson on Horseware Lukeswell (ISH)(TIH) and Aoife Clark partnering Arco BB with a final score of 159.3 narrowly failed to overtake the leading British team, but forced France into third. The British foursome ended on 143.4, while Ireland finished in second place with 152.3. France had 159.3 at the end of play.
Sarah Ennis and Horseware Stellor Rebound (ISH) took overall second place individually, with Britain’s Emilie Chandler and Gino Royale just 2.6 penalties ahead in first.
Category: Eventing, International, News, Results
