Six Irish riders finish inside the top ten in Williamsburg five-star Grand Prix

Andrew Bourns was best of the Irish in Williamsburg, claiming second place in the 1.60m Grand Prix 

Irish riders once again dominated at the CSI5* show in Williamsburg, with six finishing inside the top ten in the 1.60m Grand Prix last night.

Only five combinations jumped clear to progress to the jump-off. Victory went to the home nation as Karl Cook was the only rider to jump clear in the timed final phase.

Highest placed of the Irish was Andrew Bourns and the Irish Sport Horse Sea Topblue, owned in partnership between Bourns and QBS Equestrian LLC. This combination finished second in a time of 45.3 seconds with one fence down. They also claimed a top ten finish earlier on in the week.

One pole down in a time of 48.1 seconds saw Darragh Kenny finish third with nine-year-old stallion Hamrah Van Het Exelhof Z, owned by Heathman Farm LLC. A time of 48.06 seconds and two fence down left Darragh Kerins in fifth place, riding Lissino – a 12-year-old stallion is owned by Eve Jobs.

Three faults in the first round left Conor Swail in seventh with Hot Horses LLC’s 10-year-old mare – Calciet EB Z. Paul O’Shea and Shane Sweetnam each had a fence down in the first round. O’Shea finished eighth with Imerald Van’t Voorhof, owned in partnership between O’Shea, Imerald Partners LLC and Tequestrian Farms LLC.

Completing the top ten was Sweetnam and Gilano AO, owned in partnership between Sweetnam Popish Farms LLC and Seabrook LLC.

There was another podium finish for Kenny last night. In the CSI2* Grand Prix at the same venue, he was second with Eddy Blue – an 11-year-old gelding owned by Kerry Anne LLC. In the same 1.45m Grand Prix Richie Moloney was fourth with Skelwith Diamond Lady, owned by Equinimity LLC.

Ireland currently have six show jumping riders in the top 50 of the FEI Rankings.

Sweetnam is in seventh, Swail is tenth, Bertram Allen is 24^th, Keeny is 26^th and Denis Lynch is 41^st. All eyes now turn to the CSI5* Dublin Horse Show which begins on Wednesday 9^th of August and runs until Sunday 13^th. For regular updates and the latest news from the show follow Horse Sport Ireland.

The Irish Show Jumping team is sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange

Charles Ancona – Official athlete clothing supplier to HSI’s Senior Olympic programmes

BREEDING

Sea Topblue (ISH) – 2011 gelding by Chacco Blue (MECKL) out of Sea Top Lady (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeders: James & John Meade, Co. Clare. Owner: Andrew Bourns and QBS Equestrian LLC. Rider: Andrew Bourns (IRL).