Irish riders impress at Equestrian.com Liverpool International Show

Francis Murray General January 5, 2017

Saturday kicked off with Dermott Lennon and Fleur IV (Chatman x Darco) finishing as runners up in the morning’s 1m40 class. Taking 4^th place was Galway’s Michael Duffy and Dreamer (Cevin Z x Zeoliot) and in 6^th place, Shane Breene and Ispwich Van De Wolfsakker (London x Quick Star).

Billy Twomey and the Irish Sport Horse gelding Ardcolum Duke (Gypsy Duke x Clover Hill) (TIH) scored a win in the Horseware Ireland 1m45 class. The pair raced over the line in 30.64 seconds in the jump off, leaving all the fences standing. Hot on his heels was Shane Breen and Guidam Van Het Achterhoek (Wandor vd Mispelaere x Catango Z) with a time of 31.84 seconds, earning 3^rd place on the podium. Dermott Lennon also finished sixth with the Irish Sport Horse mare Loughview Lou-Lou (Limmerick x Jack of Diamonds).

Continuing with Irish success, riders scored a 1-2-3 in the puissance competition. Young Christopher Megahey retained his fantastic form as he was the only competitor to clear the walls final height of 7ft (2m12), partnered with the Irish Sport Horse gelding Seapatrick Cruise Cavalier (Cruise On x Cavalier Royale). Taking runner up spot was Peter Smyth with another Irish Sport Horse, Cavalier Rusticana (Try-Time x Cavalier Royale) finished second, while David Simpson riding Polystar I (Polytraum x Waldstar) shared third place with Britain’s Holly Smith riding another Irish Sport Horse, Quality Old Joker (OBOS Quality 004 x Slyguff Joker).

Liverpool Puissance winner Chris Megahey and The Irish Sport Horse Seapatrick Cruise Cavalier

Irish Horse Gateway sponsored the CSI Amateur 1m30 final, won by Jessica Hewitt (GBR) & Rusty (Kalusha x Damiro). Second place went to last year’s winner Aisling Byrne (IRL) and Celeste SPB Z (Chippendale Z x Cum Laude Z) with Kerstin Deakin take 3rd place, riding Sunsolde (Corland x Nimmerdor).

Anthony Condon finished best of the Irish in Sunday’s CSI4* Liverpool -1m45 Speed Class with Balzac (Oklund x Frisbee Kerellec), taking 6^th place in a time of 54.41 seconds. Dermott Lennon and Fleur IV (Chatman x Darco) also took 6^th place in the following day’s 1m45 speed class with a time of 55.68 seconds.

Adrienne Dixon (USA) with Lanaken Six Year Old World Champion and Irish Sport Horse Killossery Kaiden (Lux Z x Cruising) had their first international result with a second place finish in the CSI Amateur B competition. The pair put in a super performance with a double clear round and a time of 29.01 seconds, just 0.06 seconds behind USA winner Rosalie Biedron and Irish Sport Horse LVS Wizard (Cobra x Diamond Lad).

The reign of the Irish wasn’t over yet as Billy Twomey and Diaghilev (Vangelis-S x Handstreich) took to the stage in the Equestrian.com 1m60 Liverpool Grand Prix to defend their 2016 winning title. The pair set an unbeatable time of 37.32 seconds to collect the winner’s prize of over €20,000 for the second year running. Galway’s Michael Duffy held the lead early on in the competition after an excellent clear against the clock with Belcanto Z (Berlin x Mr Blue) and a time of 40.55 seconds, which was still enough for them to claim third place on the podium. Limerick’s Paul Kennedy had also made it through to the jump-off after a foot-perfect clear in the opening round with 11 year old Irish Sport Horse mare, Cartown Danger Mouse (x Harlequin du Carel), and went on to finish in seventh place overall.

Michael Duffy (right) and William Whitaker (left) drench winner Billy Twomey with Champagne in a glittering prize giving following the Equestrian.com Liverpool Grand Prix