It was a tale of two shows this weekend with some fantastic results from the whole team. Whilst our young horses travelled a few minutes down the road to our local show at Hickstead, the A-Team made their way to Rotterdam for the CSIO5* Nations Cup to represent Ireland.
We had a fantastic weekend at Rotterdam CSIO5* with Highland President, Germaine W and Jicarla T. It was an honour to jump under the Irish flag once more at this incredible show, and our horses put in some top performances all weekend.
JICARLA T – our 8yo mare by Caretino Gold out of a Numero Uno mare delivered throughout the week in the 1,45m classes. On the Friday she flew round the tough track for a clear round to take 5th place, following it up with another fast clear in the 1,45m speed class on Sunday to finish in 2nd place in top class company. She has been so consistent over the past weeks and at just 8 years old, we have high hopes for her future.
GERMAINE W impressed us once more. After recently stepping up to 5* level, this 9yo mare by Eldorado vd Zeshoek out of an Armstrong mare put in some solid rounds, taking home an 11th place finish in the opening 1,55m class on the Thursday.
The king of the stables – our very special homebred HIGHLAND PRESIDENT – (2012 gelding – Clinton x Kannan) owned by Heather Black – was on fine form once more. He cruised around the 1,45m on the first day as a perfect preparation for the CSIO5* Nations Cup on the Friday. Making the 1,60m track look easy, he clocked up two fantastic rounds, just touching a single fence in each, to help Team Ireland take 3rd place behind The Netherlands and France. It was a priveledge to share the podium with teammates Denis Lynch, Shane Sweetnam and Daniel Coyle. ‘Archie’ as he’s known at home, then followed up his Nations Cup performance with another top-class round in the 5* 1,60m Grand Prix on the Sunday.
Meanwhile in the UK – we took Glenard Ludger, Glenard Kannendro, BE Sunshine, Gonzalo, Chankar Mail, and Kannoon Blue to Hickstead for some educational rounds. The star of the week was 6yo BE Sunshine (owned by Breen Equestrian) who jumped 3 double-clears in the newcomers classes throughout the week. Homebreds Glenard Ludger (6yrs) and Glenard Kannendro (7yrs) showed us their class and promise in the newcomers and foxhunter classes, whilst Chankar Mail was clear and in the top-15 in the 1,35 on the first day.
An enormous thank you has to go to our team, at home and on the road, who keep the horses looking and feeling fantastic, and keep the wheels turning wherever we are.
Next stop – Bolesworth CSI3*…