Double of Grand Prix wins for Irish pair Hanley and Bourns in The Netherlands

  • 23 May 2019, 14:16

Irish horses and riders were in excellent form yesterday (Wednesday) at the Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, when winning both of the Grand Prix competitions on offer.

Mayo’s Cameron Hanley partnered his own 8-year-old mare Shuttle to victory in the 1m45 two-star Grand Prix. Fourteen of the 68 starters made it through to the jump-off, where Hanley completed a double clear performance and crossed the line in 41.64 seconds to take the top prize of over €8,000. America’s Laura Kraut finished as runner-up with Berdenn de Kergane in 42.31, while Albert Zoer (NED) finished third with Florian in 43,14.

Grand Prix winners Andrew Bourns and Sea Topblue (ISH) pictured with Andrew’s father Richard and Bourns Sport Horses manager Lisa O’Sullivan

The CSI1* Grand Prix also saw a win for an Irish rider with an Irish Sport Horse. Galway’s Andrew Bourns and Sea Topblue (ISH) were making their first appearance together as a pairing, with the 8-year-old gelding having been previously ridden to much success by Jenny Rankin for the Bourns Sport Horses team. A 12-horse jump-off saw Andrew Bourns and Sea Topblue (ISH) cross the line almost half a second ahead of Swiss runner-up Florence Schwizer-Seydoux with Starlette de Maillet.

BREEDING

Sea Topblue (ISH) – 2011 bay gelding by Chacco Blue (MECKL) out of Sea Top Lady (ISH), by Lux Z (HANN). Bred by James & John Meade, Co. Clare. Owner: Deirdre Bourns.

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