Jumping Jack’s homemade triumph in Arezzo

Jack Ryan and DSH Lucky Junior, who were victorious in the four-star Arezzo Grand Prix

Coyle and Incredible show class in World Cup Final, while Lynch wins two-star GP

Jack Ryan was over the moon after securing a stunning victory in the four-star Grand Prix at Arezzo Equestrian Centre yesterday, riding an Irish Sport Horse bred and owned by his uncle, Seamus Drea.

The familial links were equine as well as human for Ryan, as the Kilkenny native had also ridden the sire of DHS Lucky Junior, BBS McGregor (ISH), in competition, most notably in the FEI Nations Cup final in Barcelona in 2022. Indeed, McGregor was a homebred, bred by his mother Margaret before being sold and competing in the Paris Olympics and competing in the Paris Olympics for Abdullah Mohd Al Marri (UAE).

Lucky Junior looks a potential superstar in the making too, at just nine years of age, and having Ryan in the saddle is an undoubted advantage, as the 24-year-old was at his very best in guiding his partner to  a double clear in the Toscana Tour 1.55m class.

“I’m delighted to win the four-star Grand Prix in Arezzo,” Ryan said afterwards. “My horse DHS Lucky Junior, bred by my uncle, by a horse, BBS McGregor, who I used to compete, he gave me everything today. He jumped absolutely fantastic in both rounds and I’m absolutely delighted with the win.”

Seven participants made it to the jump-off but only three of those managed a double clear and it was the Irish combo that had too many gears, clocking a time of 40.47 seconds to prevail over Jens Baackmann (GER) with Lorenz 86 (40.85) and Robin Lesqueren (FRA) with Fbi d’Ellipsen (42.26).

Last weekend’s winners, Tipperary’s Thomas Ryan and Jezebeau BC were quickest of the four-faulters to be fourth, to make it a competition to remember for the Irish.

Daniel Coyle and Incredible were competing at the very highest level of show jumping in the past few days, and they recovered from a very disappointing start to finish 12^th in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup final in Basel.

Daniel Coyle and Incredible, third in the last leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Final in Basel

The pair lost any chance of victory in the first leg on Thursday, but illustrated their class, thereafter, finishing fifth on Friday and then securing the bronze medal position in the concluding 1.60m class at St Jakobshalle yesterday.

The class victory went to Katherin Dinan, riding Out of the Blue SCF, while overall victory and the €172,500 prize that went with it, belonged to Julien Epaillard (FRA) with Donatello d’Auge. Britain’s Ben Maher was runner-up with Point Break, while Epaillard’s Gallic compatriot Kevin Staut, riding Visconti du Telman, completed the podium.

On the breeding front, the Dara O’Malley-bred DPS Revere (ISH) emerged successful from the high-class Grand Prix in Basel. Marcus Ehning (GER) was the man in the plate as the Galway-bred gelding was electric in the jump-off, the time of 37.13 seconds too hot for the elite opposition.

At two-star level, Denis Lynch and Cornets Iberio were victorious in the Peelbergen Grand Prix on Saturday.

Lynch and Sebastien Schatzmann’s 13-year-old grey stallion had a lot to do, even after posting a clear round as they had 10 other combinations to overcome in the jump-off.

But the Tipperary athlete and his 13-year-old stallion managed just that, clocking a winning time of 40.65 to secure ultimate honours from Piergiorgio Bucci (ITA), riding Private Dancer Van ‘T Meulenhof.

On Thursday, Clare’s Eoin McMahon earned a podium finish in a 1.45m Grand Prix qualifier in the Milestone Farm Arena, thanks to a double clear with Cornest, as victory went to Jodie Hall McAteer (GBR) on Kimosa van het Kritrahof.

BREEDING
DSH LUCKY JUNIOR (ISH) – 2016 grey gelding by Bbs McGregor (ISH) out of Dahlyi (ISH) by Luidam (KWPN). Breeder and Owner: Seamus Drea. Rider: Jack Ryan (IRL)

DPS REVERE (ISH) – 2013 Gelding by Hermes De Reve (SF) out of Celerina (AEAS) by Cento (HOLST). Breeder: Dara O’Malley, Co. Galway. Owner: Marcus Ehning and Elm Rock BV. Rider: Marcus Ehning (GER).