A BUSY weekend of international show jumping action across Europe saw Irish riders record several notable results.

Ireland’s Max O’Reilly Hyland took an excellent win in today’s (Sunday) two-star Grand Prix at Vejer De La Frontera in Spain. Riding the 10-year-old gelding Barbar De Bussy, O’Reilly Hyland finished a 100th of a second ahead of Spanish runner-up Alberto Marquez Galobardes with Ucello Massuere to take the winner's prize of €6,350.

Win for Kenny

At Samorin’s five-star Global Champions Tour show in Slovakia, Offaly’s Darragh Kenny and Storiall Blue scored another Irish win in a 1.45m speed class to collect €6,375.

The five-star Grand Prix at Grimaud in the South of France saw Co Louth’s Mark McAuley take runner-up spot with the 12-year-old gelding Jasco Vd Bisschop, McAuley was one of 12 riders to make it into the jump-off and completed a double clear performance to take €40,000 for second place. Victory went to Brazil’s Eduardo Pereira De Menezes and H5 Chaganus.

Allen close

There was another five-star Grand Prix runner-up finish for an Irish rider on Saturday when Wexford’s Harry Allen and partnered the 10-year-old gelding Guinness to second spot at Oslo World Cup show in Norway. Allen finished just over a second behind Brazilian winner Marlon Módolo Zanotelli and Obora’s Chloe.

Harry Allen also recorded another runner-up finish in Oslo’s 1.55m jump-off, this time riding Carlo. Oslo hosted the opening round of the Western European Longines FEI World Cup but there was no luck for the three Irish representatives of David Simpson, Harry Allen and Alexander Butler. Allen came closest of the trio to make the jump-off when he finished with just one fence down. Dutch rider Kevin Jochems clinched victory with the stallion Turbo Z.

Meanwhile at Oliva in Spain, Carlow’s Jason Foley and Clyde VA were among the prize winners in the three-star Grand Prix. Foley was one of just three riders to produce double clear rounds and took third place at the finish behind Belgian winner Jérôme Guery and Margriet de Mariposa.

Source: Horse Sport Ireland press release