Tipperary’s Shane Breen wins Liverpool International Grand Prix to crown wonderful 2018 for Irish equestrianism

In a fitting end to a brilliant year for Irish equestrian riders, Tipperary’s Shane Breen has won tonight’s (New Years Eve) four-star Grand Prix at Liverpool International Horse Show in the UK to bring the curtain down on the 2018 Show Jumping season.

Breen produced the first clear of the opening round with the 13-year-old stallion Golden Hawk and he would prove to be one of four Irish riders who made it into the jump-off. A second clear from Breen and the P. Sultan & Breen Equestrian-owned stallion in 38.86 seconds would prove to be the winning score as they claimed the winners prize of almost €25,000.

British riders filled the two remaining places on the podium with Harriet Nuttall taking runner-up spot with Galway Bay Jed, while William Funnell finished third with Billy Diamo.

Conor Swail took fourth place for Ireland with Flower, while Billy Twomey and Kimba Flamenco finished sixth ahead of Anthony Condon and SFS Aristio in eighth.