Carlow’s Sam Watson beats overseas challengers to win feature at Ballindenisk International

  • 21 April 2019, 16:14

Ireland’s 2018 World Equestrian Games Eventing team silver medalist Sam Watson has added another major title to his collection, after claiming a hugely impressive win today (Sunday) in the feature CCI4*-L at Ballindenisk International Horse Trials in Co Cork.

Watson (pictured) and the 13-year-old Traditional Irish Sport Horse gelding Imperial Sky were in second place heading into the final Show Jumping phase – just 0.6 penalties behind Belgian leader Geoffroy De Jamblinne with Consequent Pia Z.
Watson jumped a perfect clear round to put the pressure on the Belgian rider, and when De Jamblinne lowered two fences the title went to Carlow-born Watson.

The final leaderboard showed a strong mix of nationalities, with Italy’s Giovanni Ugolotti finishing third, Britain’s James Robinson fourth and Japan’s Ryuzo Kitajima in fifth.

The Eventing Ireland CCL4*-S saw Clare Abbott and Euro Prince (ISH) finish best of the Irish in third place, with Sarah Ennis one place further back with Woodcourt Garrison (ISH). Victory went to Kazuma Tomoto (JPN) with Bernadette Utopia.

Sofie Walshe and Kinsau were the highest placed Irish finishers in the CCI3*-L when taking fifth, while Michael Ryan (Barnahown Corn Hill (ISH), Sian Coleman with Lady Baton Rouge and Robyn McCluskey with Rum Jumbie (ISH), also finished inside the top 10.

Sam Watson was also in excellent form in the CCI3*-S when taking third place aboard Ballybolger Talisman (ISH)(TIH). Michael Ryan with Dunlough Striker (ISH) finished fourth, while fifth place went to Dominic Furnell with Kiltealy Rogers (ISH)(TIH), just ahead of Clare Abbott with Jewelent (ISH) in sixth.

Full results from Ballindenisk International 2019 available HERE

BREEDING

Imperial Sky (ISH)(TIH) a 2006 grey gelding by Puissance (ISH) out of Skies of Blue (ISH) by Horos (TB). Breeder: Carolyn Lannigan O’Keefe. Owned by Cathy Byrne & Hannah Watson

  • Tags: