Top 10 finish for Condon in UAE but Egyptian win threatens Irish Olympic hopes

WATERFORD-born Anthony Condon and the John Hales-owned stallion Aristio, completed a superb three days for the pair at the five-star show in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates today (Saturday), with a top 10 finish in the Longines Grand Prix.

They were one of 21 combinations who went through to the Grand Prix jump-off, carrying forward four faults from the first round. An excellent clear against the clock saw Condon and Aristio finish in ninth place overall.

Condon and the 10-year-old Aristio jumped a double clear round in the Al Ain Nations Cup on Thursday, helping Ireland to a fifth place finish.

The Longines Grand Prix winner’s prize of almost €40,000, went to Egyptian rider Karim El Zoghby with Amelia, who were one of just two double clear rounds in the competition.

The result is a huge boost to the Egyptian as he pursues an individual Olympic place ahead of the March 6th cut-off date. Ireland are also pursuing two places through Bertram Allen and Denis Lynch.

Allen is likely to secure a regional place and there are also four places available through the global Olympic ranking list. Lynch’s recent run of exceptional results had put him in a strong position to secure the final global place. However, today’s win will put the Egyptian rider right back in the hunt.