EVENTING: ABBOTT AND MURPHY CLAIM BALLINDENISK THREE STAR VICTORIES

Today saw the final show jumping phase at Ballindenisk International Horse Trials in Co. Cork, with Clare Abbot riding Dr. Cormac McKay’s Europrince (ISH) claiming victory in the Johnson and Perrot Land Rover CCI3*. The combination producing one of only four clear Showjumping rounds and the only combination to finish the competition on their dressage score of 43.8. Abbot finished 11.8 penalties ahead of Great Britain’s Oliver Townend riding the Irish Sport Horse Skyhills Cavalier in second place. Sam Watson was the next best placed Irish rider in fourth place on the Irish Sport Horse Horseware Lukeswell.

In the shorter format Mervue Equine Ireland CIC3* Joseph Murphy steered Sportsfield Othello (ISH) to produce one of only 3 clear SJ rounds to claim victory. The combination finished ahead of Elisabeth Haliday Sharp (USA) riding the Irish Sport Horse Fernhill By Night.

All three riders Clare Abbott, Joseph Murphy and Sam Watson represented Ireland at the recent World Equestrian Games where the Irish team secured qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

ENDS