MAYO’s Michael G Duffy was celebrating last weekend after being crowned the leading rider at the four-star show in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The German-based rider from Knockmore, Ballina, got his weekend off to a perfect start when he won Friday’s 1.45m two-phase class aboard Carl Hanley Sporthorses and Equine Management’s Chappo Chey (Carell x Cornet Obolensky).

The 21-year-old rider posted a time of 24.61 seconds in the second phase to beat world class Swede Rolf-Goran Bengtsson into second place with Yajamila (0/0 24.89).

Mayo’s Cameron Hanley was second in Friday’s 1.40m aboard Aiyetoro (Concorde x Colino) when jumping clear in 60.86. Victory went to Frenchman Patrice Delaveau and Vestale De Mazure HDC (0/59.80).

Hanley and Duffy were placed fifth and sixth respectively in Saturday’s 1.50m when they made it through to the nine-horse jump-off. Hanley guided Eis Isaura to fifth place when they collected four faults against the clock in 39.15, while Duffy was just behind with Chappo Chey in 39.43 seconds.

Duffy’s next big result was in Saturday’s 1.45m Accumulator class when he guided the 10-year-old gelding Castlefield Rubinus (Rock Forever x Renoir I) to third place, collecting the maximum 65 points in 51.55 seconds. Victory went to Belgium’s Jos Verlooy, with Britain’s William Funnell slotting into second place.

The Mayo man then secured his leading rider title when he blazed to victory in Sunday’s 1.45m jump-off. Riding Hanley’s Castlefield Rubinus, his time of 34.52 was enough to take the top prize in the four-horse jump-off.

Rubinas was purchased in Germany by Carl Hanley as a five-year-old before being sold to Ger O’Neill of Castlefield Sporthorses in Killkenny. The young horse never actually came to Ireland and after bringing him to the sunshine tour in Oliva, Hanley decided to buy the gelding back.

CHAMPAGNE

The Irish Field interrupted Duffy’s celebrations on Monday. “We were all just have a glass of champagne in the kitchen, it never happened before that we were drinking champagne on a Monday,” he said, adding: “It was the first time I had a show that good.

“It was funny, I was sitting down with Cameron having a coffee on the first day and I asked him was he going to have a cut in the 1.40m. He said to me ‘It’s not the crack I came for’ so then I decided I better pull my finger out!

“We are all over the moon,” he added.