Ireland’s Breen wins Hickstead’s Queen Elizabeth Cup

AFTER notable run of good form at England’s famous Hickstead Horse Show this weekend, Ireland’s Shane Breen beat a largely British field to snatch the coveted Queen Elizabeth II Cup today (Saturday).

The Tipperary rider faced down four riders from the home nation in the jump-off and outpaced Robert Whitaker, one of Britain’s top-ranked international riders, by just over half a second to claim the cup and leave the Englishman in the runner-up spot.

Breen, who was riding Miss SJ Knight’s dark bay mare Zarnita, collected the 3,000 euro first prize after beating a starting field of 26 to the trophy.

The 38 year-old Irish rider’s success today followed several top ten places at Hickstead since Thursday, and also a remarkable double clear round in the Nations’ Cup on Friday which helped Ireland finish in fourth place and earned Breen the Furusiyya Rider of the Day award.