Breen claims first four-star Irish win at Salzburg

TIPPERARY’S Shane Breen claimed Ireland’s first win of the weekend at Austria’s big four-star show in Salzburg today (Saturday).

Piloting his new 11 year-old gelding Undicci, formerly owned by top Swedish rider Malin Baryard and campaigned by Mathijs van Asten of the Netherlands, the Irish rider set an unbeatable time when 15th to jump in the 35-strong starting list.

Only France’s Olivier Robert came close, when he stopped the clock three-quarters of a second outside Breen’s time to collect the runner-up prize of 4,900 euro. Breen pocketed 6,125 euro for his victory in the Grand Prix qualifier.

Fellow Tipperary rider Denis Lynch also claimed a runner-up prize at Salzburg, riding Blue Silver in Friday’s afternoon’s speed competition, and losing out to the faster time of Germany’s Hans-Dieter Dreher and Pacavello. Shane Breen took a fifth place in the competition on the In Showjumpers Ltd – owned Undicci.

Last night at the five-star show in Paris, Wexford’s Bertram Allen was best of the Irish in the Longines Speed Challenge, finishing seventh on Quiet Easy. The class was won by Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet and Egano van het Slogenhof.

Billy Twomey and Tinka’s Serenade were also seventh in the Mitsuki Trophy Jump-Off class at Paris last night, with France’s Patrice Delaveau and Lacrimoso 3 HDC taking the laurels.

At the two-star show at Opglabbeek in Belgium last night, Meath’s Cian O’Connor took victory in the Grand Prix qualifier with his new horse Crespo PKZ, while second place also went to Ireland, with Jack Dodd just under two seconds behind on Wrangler II.

Shane Breen