Ryan steers Jezebeau to four-star Gold as Lynch goes top of LGCT rankings

Thomas Ryan is the latest illustration of the depth of talent in the horse and rider ranks in Irish show jumping, after the Tipperary athlete steered H3k Equestrian’s Jezebeau BC to victory in the four-star Gold Tour Grand Prix at the Arezzo Equestrian Centre today.

There were 50 combinations partaking in the Toscana Tour feature but only three could navigate all 16 obstacles of the 1.55m course without blemish and it was Ryan who showed the most intent in the jump-off, and Jezebeau the most speed.

The 10-year-old gelding was electric, going clear once more in a blinding time of 39.86 seconds. That was almost a full four seconds faster than runner-up Patrick Stühlmeyer (GER), riding Polonis L.

“I’m extremely proud of my horse today,” said a delighted Ryan. “It was his first four-star Grand Prix and also first 1.55. He’s a horse we’ve had big thoughts for, for the future, and he’s really pleasing us at the moment and we’re delighted with that.”

Meanwhile, there must have been some mixed emotions for Ryan’s Tipp compatriot Denis Lynch in Mexico City, as he returned to the scene of his five-star double in the Longines Global Champions League classes 12 months ago.

Late on Sunday night Irish time, he vaulted to the top of the Longines Global Champions Tour individual standings after finishing eighth in the LGCT Grand Prix.

However, Lynch and Vistogrand had been tracking for a much higher finish in the nine-combo jump-off but a rail at the first element of the double that yielded to the merest rub ended their hopes of victory, with the glory at Campo Marte going to Emanuele Camilli (ITA) and Chacco’s Girlstar.

Two Irish riders were in the top five of the $750,000 Rolex Grand Prix, the highlight of the 12^th and final week of the Winter Equestrian Festival at a packed Wellington International under the Saturday Night Lights.

Ardmore, Co Derry rider, Jordan Coyle and Chaccolino earned $75,000 for fourth, their time of 40.44 seconds in the jump-off one-hundredth of a second quicker than Enniscorthy, Co Wexford athlete Bertram Allen and Qonquest de Rigo in fifth, who earned $45,000 for their troubles.

A total of 40 combinations had a tilt at the €247,500 on offer for victory, with a considerable Irish representation in the high-class field.

Darragh Kenny, from Offaly, was left feeling a little frustrated as Eddy Blue jumped clear but unfortunately, had one time fault to miss out on the jump-off. Their efforts were still worth ninth and €15,000.

Coyle’s younger brother, Daniel and his mare, Legacy were among the octet that made it through to the tie-breaker with a smooth clear round but nothing went right for them on their second visit and 12 faults consigned them to eighth.

Allen and Jordan Coyle excelled by recording double clears in good times, but it was the outstanding German, Christian Kukuk that took the lion’s share of the prize money, Checker 47’s time of 39.2, just seeing off hometown hero Laura Kraut (USA) with Bisquetta. Ashlee Bond (ISR) and Donatello 141 completed the podium positions.

The Irish were involved at the sharp end in Wellington all week. On Wednesday Daniel Coyle combined with Farrel to finish fourth in a five-star 1.45m jump-off class with a double clear. Once more, it was extremely competitive, with less than half a second separating the top quartet and victory going to Nayel Nassar (EGY), riding Dorado de Riverland.

On Thursday, the Coyle/Legacy combo were third in the $116,100 Adequan WEF Challenge (Round 12), adding another double clear to their litany of blemish-free competitions.

The fine margins were never more evident than in the jump-off, where Coyle and the Ariel Grange-owned mare recorded a red-hot time of 38.8 seconds. That was only two-tenths off the winning mark set by Ben Maher (GBR) and Point Break, with runners-up Kent Farrington (USA) and Toulayna stopping the clock five-hundredths of a second quicker than the Irish pair.

Kenny and Zero K shone in that company too, also leaving every rail upright through two rounds to nab a top-five berth.

Meath-based Kildare native, Cian O’Connor has been unveiling some new partnerships this year and the Karlswood Stables boss must be excited about the future for Canbella Blue PS after they secured a berth on the podium for the five-star 1.50m Classic on Friday night.

This combination is just four months in the making but they looked perfectly in sync in the Rolex Grand Prix qualifier with a rapid clear round in 63.63 seconds that saw them slot into third place, just ahead of Darragh Cross, Co Down man Conor Swail and My Lady Lavista at the time.

There were still 48 horses and riders to enter the International Ring but none could supplant the first three, with victory going to Abdel Said (BEL) and Calvara, with Richard Vogel (GER) and Levi Noesar just ahead of the Irish duo.

Swail and My Lady Lavista had to settle for ninth in the end, with Kenny and Amsterdam 27 also finishing strongly in seventh. Daniel Coyle was left to rue four faults that cost him and Farrel victory, as they posted the fastest time of the class of 62.26.

Elsewhere, Dermott Lennon continues to illustrate his wizardry in the saddle and excelled once more when steering Irish Sport Horse Millview Cicero to second in a speed class at the four-star show in Gorla Minore on Friday.

It is 22 years now since Lennon was crowned world champion on regular Nations Cup-winning queen Liscalgot, but the search for talent is never-ending and Lennon clearly thrives in such an environment.

The Ballinaskeagh, Co Down pilot has a good horse on his hands in Millview Cicero, who was bred by Harry Marshall and is owned by Bronte Stables. In all, 16 combinations jumped clear in the 1.45m class but pace was a different matter altogether.

Lennon and Cicero were extremely quick, their time of 59.31 seconds well clear of Barbara Schniefer (SUI) and Toronto Raptor in third on 60.55. But Mario Wilson Fernandes (POR) were convincing winners in the end, blitzing around in the Equinoxe Arena in 57.01.

BREEDING

MILLVIEW CICERO (ISH) – 2014 gelding by Cicero Z Van Paemal (BWP) out of Royal Dutch (KWPN) by Oklund (KWPN). Breeder: Harry Marshall. Owner: Bronte Stables Ltd. Rider: Dermott Lennon (IRL).