Anthony Condon wins Bolesworth four-star Grand Prix as Cian O’Connor scores five-star podium finish in Austria

Waterford’s Anthony Condon has taken the winners trophy in the biggest competition of the week at Bolesworth four-star International in the UK, after he guided Balzac to victory in the Equerry Grand Prix.

Condon, from Cappagh near Dungarvan, produced one of just two double clear rounds with the 11-year-old gelding Balzac (pictured above), who he owns along with Kat Taylor. Britain’s Keith Shore had posted the first double clear to take the lead with Mystic Hurricane in a time of 53.53. However Condon cut over three seconds off the target (49.86) when third last to go and held on to take a winners prize of €33,000. Offaly’s Darragh Kenny also took fifth place for Ireland with Team De Coquerie.

Meanwhile at Glock Performance Centre in Austria, Meath-based Cian O’Connor took third place on the podium in the €345,000 five-star Grand Prix. O’Connor has been in superb form of late scoring three five-star wins since returning from injury and this time he partnered the 10-year-old gelding Skyhorse to third place with one of just three double clears in the competition.

O’Connor and Skyhorse (owned by Chansonete Farm LLC), crossed the line clear in 50.36 when fifth to go of the eight combinations who made it into the jump-off, with the Irish rider collecting over €50,000.
Tipperary’s Denis Lynch also finished in the prizes with All Star. They lowered just the very last fence in a time of 50.12 to take sixth place overall and almost €19,000. Swiss pair Martin Fuchs (Clooney) and Steve Guerdat (Corbinian) shared the winners prize of €155,000, after both jumping clear in 49.43

Anabelle Heffron wins Hagen Grand Prix with Irish Sport Horse Porsha

Thirteen-year-old Anabelle Heffron from Co Tyrone scored a superb win in the Children On Horses (U14) Grand Prix at Hagen in Germany.

The Irish teenager, who is trained by Johnny O’Connell, beat of an international field of 54 riders to scoop the top prize with the Irish Sport Horse Porsha. Thirteen combinations jumped clear in the opening round to make it into the jump-off. Heffron posted a winning clear in a time of 41.97 despite been drawn to jump early in the jump-off. Sweden’s Ingemar Hammarström finished second with Cascara, while Dutch rider Cejay Joosten took third place on the podium.

Porsha (ISH), who was bred by Edel Reel and owned by Diana Heffron, is by the sire Porsch. Coincidentally the 14-year-old mare is out of a dam by Touchdown, famously ridden by James Kernan who is team manager for the Irish Young Rider, Junior and Childrens teams who have been in outstanding form this week in Hagen
Speaking from the German venue, Kernan was full of praise for Heffron and Cormac Foley who last night finished second in the Junior Grand Prix.

“This was an incredible result for Anabelle, she really was superb to win the class being drawn early in the jump-off. Cormac Foley was also excellent last night to finish second just a fraction behind the winner, he hasn’t knocked a fence here all week which is incredible. All our riders have been brilliant here all week and deserve huge credit.”