We are finally back on home soil after what has been an incredible and memorable three months in the UAE with Team Z7. As always, it’s a huge privilege to be part of such a fantastic team. Between representing Ireland at another two Nations Cups, taking home multiple top results at the shows, and making use of the first-class facilities at the Team Z7 base in Dubai, we have had a successful few months and already can’t wait to head back next year.
Firstly, none of this would be possible without an amazing team and we can’t start without saying a huge THANK YOU to everyone for their support. To Team Z7 who make it possible to start our year in the best way and welcome us into our home-away-from home. To the whole team at home who continue to do a fantastic job producing all our talented young horses, training clients and keeping the yard in England ticking like clockwork. To our hugely incredible sponsors whose support is invaluable – we are so proud to work with all of you, and grateful for your continued support.
We started off the year in Abu Dhabi, at Al Shira’aa CSI4* with Highland President, Germaine W and Toyger. We had a great start to the week (and year!), with all the horses jumping clear on the opening day. Homebred Highland President took home 4th in the 1,50m Jump-off class and narrowly missed out on a placing in the 4* Grand Prix. Meanwhile Toyger brought home a top-10 placing in the Medium Tour Grand Prix and stepped up to the 2* GP Qualifiers the following week to finish 5th with a double-clear.
Week two brought on the CSIO5* Al Forsan Presidents Cup show, and after Team Ireland took the win last year, pressure and excitement was high. We couldn’t have been more proud of Germaine W who stepped up to make her 5* Nations Cup debut in incredible style, helping the team to achieve another podium finish, taking 3rd place.
We went one better two weeks later at the Sharjah CSIO4* Nations Cup, with Germaine W once again helping Ireland to a 2nd place finish. It was a great honour to start the year jumping for Ireland alongside a fantastic team.
We had a successful few weeks in Sharjah, with the highlight being week 3 at the H.H Ruler of Sharjah Cup. Our amazing mare Germaine W had a phenomenal week, qualifying for the 5* Grand Prix on day one with a DC and top-10 placing in the 5* 1,50m, quickly followed up by a 3rd in her debut six-bar competition. But the cherry on top was an incredible 3rd place finish in the 5* Grand Prix, after jumping double clear. It was a special moment for the whole team and well-deserved result for this outstanding horse. Not to be outdone, stable-mate Toyger stepped up to 5* level, coming 6th in the 5* 1,50m and 6th again in his first 1,55m winning round.
Next up it was on to Doha with Highland President and Gonzalo. We’re delighted to have joined the Rome Gladiators for the 2023 season and flew the horses out to Qatar for the 5* the week before. They didn’t disappoint, with Highland President not touching a fence all week in the 5* 1,45-50m classes, taking home two top-10 placings.
Week two marked our debut for the Rome Gladiators, jumping on an all-Irish team. Highland President jumped a great round in the GCL, and added two more top-10 finishes to his record in the 5* classes, whilst speed-demon Gonzalo gave us a 5th place in the 1,50m speed.
Back to Dubai for our very final show of the tour, and it couldn’t have been a sweeter finish. Toyger took 7th in the GP Qualifier and then had a podium finish in the Medium Tour Grand Prix, but the best was yet to come. After consistently having top placings since the start of the year, Germaine W gave us the win she deserved in the 2* Grand Prix on the very last night of our tour. It was an amazing way to finish on such a high after an unforgettable season.
The horses all travelled home well and are happy to be back. We have a few quieter weeks now, and will continue to develop the young horses before the busy summer season begins.
We are super excited about the next generation of talent coming through, and a special thank you to Ryan and Caroline who have done an amazing job of producing them over the last few months whilst Trevor has been away.
