Irish riders record superb five-star Grand Prix results in Canada and France

A busy night of top level Show Jumping has seen Irish riders feature strongly among the prizes on both sides of the Atlantic, not least at Spruce Meadows in Canada where three Irish riders finished in the top seven in the five-star Rolex Grand Prix.

Co Down’s Conor Swail recorded Ireland’s best result, when taking third place with the Eadaoin Collins-owned 9-year-old gelding Koss Van Heiste. Fourth to go in the seven horse jump-off, they took the lead with the first clear of the second round in 47.20 seconds. The home fans saw Canada’s Eric Lamaze and Chacco Kid take the winners prize with a time of 46.25, while World No.1 Steve Guerdat (SUI) finished as runner-up with Bianca (46.96). Derry’s Jordan Coyle with the Elan Farm-owned gelding Eristov had one fence down against the clock to finish sixth, one place ahead of Kerry-born Capt Brian Cournane in seventh with the 10-year-old gelding Armik, who he owns along with Bob and Christine Stiller.

Meanwhile back in Europe, Tipperary’s Shane Breen recorded an excellent result in the €300,000 Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix at Cannes in France. Drawn second to go in the 10 horse jump-off with Ipswich Van De Wolfsakker, Breen briefly took the lead with a clear in 38.10 seconds and would eventually finish fifth overall. The winners prize of €99,000 went to Belgium’s Niels Bruynseels and Gancia de Muze with a scorching time of 34.69.
Breen had earlier helped Miami Celtics to a runner-up finish in the Cannes leg of the Global Champions League.