GERMANY’s superstar Michael Jung has the Rolex Grand Slam in his sights following his back-to-back victories at the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** yesterday.
Riding Fischerrocana FST, Jung kept both his cool and overnight lead to win the prestigious event, after a near flawless dressage test and the fastest cross-country ride of the whole day.
Coming into the final show jumping phase and last to go into the packed Rolex Stadium, Jung had three fences in hand but delivered another masterclass round with just one rail down to win the event and set him on course to challenge for the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize at the Badminton Horse Trials in Britain later this week.
With 54 starters for the final show jumping phase on day four of the competition, Lauren Kieffer (USA) delighted the 25,000 patriotic home fans, riding Veronica, to take second place behind Jung. Maya Black (USA) continued her amazing weekend in just her second Rolex Kentucky to take third place riding Doesn't Play Fair.
TOP FIVE FINAL RESULTS
1. Michael Jung (GER)/Fischerrocana FST 39.2
2. Lauren Kieffer (USA)/Veronica 52.5
3.Maya Black (USA)/Doesn't Playfair 53.9
4. Philip Dutton (USA)/Mighty Nice 57.8
5. Phillip Dutton (USA)/Fernhill Cubalawn 59.4
IRISH-BREDS
The Irish Sport Horse Mighty Nice scored a superb fourth place finish under Phillip Dutton for the USA, with no less than nine Irish Sport Horses finishing inside the top 25.
The 12-year-old gelding Mighty Nice (ISH), ridden by America’s Phillip Dutton, was bred by William Kells and was previously ridden by Ireland’s Joseph Murphy before being exported to the United States.
Lying in 17th place after Saturday’s Cross Country,Ireland’s Timothy Bourke and The IrishSportHorse, Luckaun Quality (ISH), who was bred by Ronan Sheehan from Co Laois, moved up six places after an excellent Show Jumping round to finish in 11th place overall.
Fernhill Fugitive (ISH), who was bred by Maurice Cousins from Barnadown Stud in Co Wexford, took 13th spot again ridden by Philllip Dutton, while Harbour Pilot (ISH) who was bred at Kilbride Stud in Co Wicklow by Jacqueline Mars finished 15th with Hannah-Sue Burnett (USA).
Irish Sport Horses finishing inside the top 25 also included, Copper Beach (ISH), Super Socks BCF (ISH) , LCC Barnaby (ISH). Share Option and Delux Z (ISH).
Irish-bred entries for Rolex CCI4* 2016(alphabetical by rider):
Copper Beach – 2006 gelding by Radolin (KWPN). Rider: Bruce Davidson Jnr. (USA)
Luckaun Quality (ISH) – 2005 gelding by OBOS Quality (OLD) out of Colwyn Bay (ISH) by Cavalier
Royale (HOLST) Breeder: Ronan Sheehan (Laois). Rider: Timothy Bourke (IRL)
Super Socks BCF – 2006 gelding. Rider: Matthew Brown (USA)
Courage Under Fire (ISH) – 2003 mare by Courage II (HOLST) out of Seaview Comfort (ISH) by
Ballygarrett Glen (TB). Breeder: Mairead Byrne (Wicklow). Rider: Katherine Coleman (USA)
OBOS O’Reilly (ISH) – 2003 gelding by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD) out of Omard Clover Queen. (ISH)(TIH)
by Clover Hill (ID). Breeder: Brian O’Reilly (Cavan). Rider: William Coleman (USA)
Ringwood Magister (ISH)(TIH) – 2001 gelding by Master Imp (TB) out of Cloonkeen View. (ISH)(TIH)
by Carrabawn View (ID). Breeder: Adrian P Bourke (Mayo). Rider: Tiana Coudray (USA)
Park Trader (ISH)(TIH) – 2002 gelding by Master Imp (TB) out of Ballyhast Polly (ISH) by Highland King
(ISH). Breeder: Christopher Bailey (Wexford). Rider: Bruce Davidson Jnr. (USA)
Copper Beach – 2006 gelding by Radolin (KWPN). Rider: Bruce Davidson Jnr. (USA)
Ballynoecastle RM (ISH) – 2000 gelding by Ramiro B (BWP) out of Ballyvallon Natalie (ISH) by Blue
Laser (TB). Breeder: Sylvester Cullen (Wexford). Rider: Bruce Davidson Jnr. (USA)
Fernhill Fugitive (ISH) – 2005 gelding by Lux Z (HANN) out of Barnadown Ramiro (ISH) by Ramiro B
(BWP). Breeder: Maurice Cousins (Wexford). Rider: Phillip Dutton (USA)
Mighty Nice (ISH) – 2004 gelding by Ard Ohio (KWPN) out of Sarazen (ISH). Breeder: William Kells
(Cavan). Rider: Phillip Dutton (USA)
HHS Cooley (ISH) – 2004 gelding by Clover Echo (ISH) out of Flown (ISH) by Imperius (TB). Breeder:
Thomas Hughes (Kilkenny). Rider: Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (USA)
Fernhill By Night (ISH) – 2003 gelding by Radolin (KWPN) out of Argentina XII (OLD) by Argentinus
(HANN). Breeder: EtterSportsHorses Ltd (Offaly). Rider: Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (USA)
LCC Barnaby (ISH) – 2006 gelding by Guy Cavalier (ISH) out of Lady Tanjour (ISH) by Rafael (KWPN)
.Breeder: Martin Collins (Meath). Rider: Lillian Heard (USA)
Share Option. – 2002 gelding. Rider: Lillian Heard (USA)
Sir Donovan (ISH) – 2002 gelding by VDL Arkansas (KWPN) out of Flown (ISH) by Imperius (TB).
Breeder: Thomas Hughes (Kilkenny). Rider: Philippa Humphreys (USA)
Master Frisky (ISH)(TIH) – 2004 gelding by Master Imp (TB) out of Frisky Legs (ISH) by Coopers Hill
(ID). Breeder: Sean Power (Kilkenny). Rider: Boyd Martin (USA)
Delux Z (ISH) – 2005 gelding by Lux Z (HANN) out of Drumin Imp (ISH) by Master Imp (TB). Breeder:
Tom Finn (Carlow). Rider: Kurt A Martin (USA)
Clip Clop (ISH)(TIH) – 2003 gelding by Crosstown Dancer (ID) out of Terrific Star (TB) by Wolverlife
(TB). Breeder: Sandra Byrne (Dublin). Rider: Joe Meyer (NZL)
Bango (ISH) – 2006 gelding by Garrison Royal (ISH) out of No Sale (ISH) by Don Tristan (TB). Breeder:
James Foley (Wexford). Rider: Tim Price (NZL)
Ballylaffin Bracken (ISH) – 2000 gelding by Ricardo Z (ZANG) out of Ballylaffin Florence (WNTR) by
Hildenley (TB). Breeder: Catherine Long (Tipperary). Rider: Kristin Schmolze (USA)
Fernhill Fearless – 2000 gelding by Mark Twain (TB). Rider: Ryan Wood (USA)
Harbour Pilot (ISH) – 2003 gelding by Cruising (ISH) Breeder: Jacqueline Mars . Rider: Hannah Sue BURNETT (USA)