WITH the sun splitting the skies, international jumping came to a close at Balmoral CSI2* last Friday with Kilkenny young rider Seamus Hughes Kennedy and ESI Ali (ISH) taking the win in the Horse Sport Ireland and Bottlegreen International Grand Prix.

Owned by Clare Hughes, the eight-year-old gelding by Stakkato Gold out of Adelheid (Tygo) was bred at Ennisnag Stud. The pair have been in stellar form of late, winning a 1.45m U25 class at Saut Hermes in Paris as well as good results at the Sunshine Tour.

Speaking after the win, owner and Seamus’ mother, Clare Hughes said: “I am delighted for Seamus and it was great to be here to see it. The gelding was bred by my cousin Andrew Hughes. He is super talented and extremely careful.

“We have produced him slowly through the ranks. He didn’t do much as a young horse, but he has stepped up to the mark now. Seamus has some important people helping him and I would like to thank Hugh McKeown who manages everything and his trainer Ger O’Neill.”

International course designer Claus Holle set the challenge for the 36 starters. The course which stood at 1.45m was up to height and no particular fence in the first round caused any problems. However after three horses jumped, the time allowed was extended to 83 seconds.

The double at five, followed by the triple bar at six, demanded careful riding as did the triple combination at 13 (vertical-vertical-oxer). There were riders representing Ireland, Britain, Germany, New Zealand, Australia and Denmark on the startlist and just eight managed to book their place in the jump-off.

Jump-off

First to go, Kilkenny’s Susan Fitzpatrick set the bar high when she delivered a clear with Miss Paris in a time of 45.22 which was good enough to hold the lead for some time and eventually finish in third place.

Fitzpatrick got a good turn back to the double and then another tight line back to the Dublin Horse Show fence. This round would later prove good enough for third place. Owned by Manny O’Hara and bred by Gestüt Lewitz, the nine-year-old mare is by Messenger and out a Eurocommerce Berlin mare.

Next up, Britain’s William Fletcher opted for a similar route with the 12-year old Van Helsing-sired gelding Valento, however despite a good try, he was slightly slower in 45.54 and finished one place behind Fitzpatrick in the line-up.

Jonathan Smyth and Mulvin Lui saw their hopes of a win dashed as they faulted at the first, but their time of 47.79 saw them take seventh place. The 13-year-old gelding was bought by Smyth’s father in Goresbridge and he is now co-owned by the Smyth’s and Roy Craig. He is by Kroongraaf and out of the Diamond Serpent mare Diamond Vicky.

Britain’s William Walker and the 10-year-old Cabsh-sired stallion I’m Special The One AK opted to take the longer route back to the double which meant they were slower than the leaders in a time of 49.76 seconds but the clear saw them finish in fifth place.

All eyes were on another Kilkenny rider, James Brennan as he took it on with MHS I’m The One, a combination in good form. Brennan looked on target to take the lead but four faults at the penultimate oxer in a time of 45.47 would see him slot into sixth place. Owned by Sinead Brennan and bred by Thomas Brennan, the nine-year-old is by Lancelot out of Cavalier Kells Lady (Cavalier Royale).

Top level

A rider with plenty of experience at the top level of the sport, Wexford’s Anthony Condon made the trip to Balmoral from his base in Shropshire and he was third last to go aboard Pat Hales’ experienced 13-year-old gelding SFS Vicomte who has jumped on Irish teams.

He set off strongly, taking a very tight turn back to the double and then on to the Dublin Horse Show fence. A daring gallop to the last saw him take the lead, coming home clear in 42.97, a time which looked very hard to beat.

Not fazed by the pressure, next up Seamus Hughes Kennedy knew what he needed to do to take the lead with ESI Ali. Taking a similar line to the leader, he nailed the tight lines. Cheered on by the crowd, he threw caution to the wind as he galloped to the last and he pipped Condon to the win when crossing the line in a time of 42.49.

Last to go, Britain’s Louise Saywell and the 15-year-old stallion Daniel (Heartbreaker x San Patrignano Mister) were ruled out of contention when they hit the second fence and crossed the line in 48.89 for eighth place. Saywell didn’t go home too disappointed as she was crowned the leading international athlete. Taking the leading speed athlete was Ireland’s Daniel McAlinden.