Wins for Foley and O’Connor in USA and Netherlands
YOUNG Rider Tom Foley scored an impressive win at the three-star show in Tryon, USA last Wednesday, while Olympic medallist Cian O’Connor was victorious the following day at Arnhem’s three-star in the Netherlands.
Written by Colin McClelland
Nineteen year-old Foley, riding Spy Coast Farm’s mare Beluga, was the only one of 39 starters to break the 60 second barrier on the clock, coming home in 59.56.
Clare native Foley, who was one of Ireland’s European silver medal pony team in 2010, said after what his first win at the North Carolina venue: “When we walked the course I thought it looked very good. It was a nice course. I knew it was going to be a fast and hard test. There were a lot of people going in front of me in the class that were going to go fast. I have a great horse. I have to thank Shane Sweetnam for giving me the ride and to Lisa Lourie, the owner of Spy Coast Farm, for supporting me. It’s been great to have these kinds of opportunities and I’m so grateful.”
Meanwhile other Irish riders on the far side of the Atlantic also had success last night when Co. Down’s Conor Swail took second place at Spruce Meadows in Canada on Ilan Ferder’s Viva Colombia in the five-star speed competition, with Shane Sweetnam on Sweet Oak Farm’s Easy Contact Humlan claiming third. Chile’s Samuel Parot took first on Couscous van Orti.
Nearer home today, Cian O’Connor and Adena Springs’s mare Quidam’s Cherie were fastest in a huge field of over 90 starters at the three-star Netherlands show in Arnhem, while Capt. Michael Kelly and the Irish Sport Horse Ringwood Glen took sixth place.
Mayo’s Cameron Hanley also featured in what was the main class of the day, with a ninth on Ashford Farm’s Ikketiska van de Noordheuvel.
Category: International, News, Results, Show Jumping
