TIPPERARY’S Shane Breen and the 12-year-old home-bred gelding Scarteen claimed victory in Sunday’s three-star 1.55m Grand Prix at Abu Dhabi in the UAE, when they jumped double clear and stopped the jump-off clock in a time of 39.55 seconds.

Ten of the 35 starters retired in the first round, with only seven of the remaining 25 keeping a clean sheet to proceed to the jump-off. Three of those managed to keep the poles intact for a second time and they certainly deserved their podium places!

Breen was the clear winner, finishing almost a second and a half in front of runner-up Maggie Hill (USA) on Carembea du Rouet PS (40.97), with third place being filled by home rider Shk Ali Jmal Nasr Al Nuami (UAE) on Cobalt vd Bisschop Z (43.20). Trevor Breen rode Luidam’s Warrior into fifth place with four faults in a time of 39.27 in the jump-off.

Placings

Show jumping at the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club ran from Friday until Sunday and saw some pleasing results for Irish riders.

Shane Breen and the 11-year-old mare Z7 Oilina took a podium place in Saturday’s three-star 1.50m Grand Prix qualifier, when placing third of the 46 starters. Fourteen combinations jumped clear in the first round for a chance to jump again, with eight of those remaining faultless in phase two.

Belgium took the top two places, with Abdel Said on Calvaro in first place (24.11) and Constant van Paesschen on Diaz du Thot in second (24.40). Breen slotted in behind them in a time of 24.95 to complete the podium.

David Simpson rode Billy Fern into eighth place when double clear in a phase two time of 30.56, followed by Michael Pender on HHS Fortune, who sped round the course in the fastest time of 22.46, but an unfortunate four faults put them in ninth place at the finish.