MEATH’S Cian O’Connor and the Irish Sport Horse Kilkenny were in unbeatable form at the Andalucía October Tour at the weekend, taking victory in Sunday’s three-star Suzuki Grand Prix at Vejer de la Frontera in Spain.

It was the first international outing for the 10-year-old gelding Kilkenny, bred by Sinead Brennan and owned by Susan Magnier, since helping Ireland to victory in the Aga Khan at the Dublin Horse Show in August.

Ten combinations from the 38 starters went forward to the jump-off, where O’Connor’s perfect clear in 39.35 seconds saw him finish half-a-second ahead of American runner-up Laura Kraut and Baloutinue (39.93), while third place went to Spain’s Iván Serrano Sáez and Rain Man.

Two Irish Sport Horses finished in the top four, with Tyrone’s Niamh McEvoy (18) and Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick finishing fourth with another clear in 40.44.

World cup podium for McMahon

Co Clare’s Eoin McMahon has made an excellent start to the 2022/2023 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup season, scoring a podium place finish in Sunday’s opening round of the series at Oslo in Norway.

Riding the 12-year-old mare Chakra, McMahon was one of 11 combinations to make it into the jump-off after a clear first round. Drawn first to go in the jump-off, he posted an impressive clear in 46.13 seconds against the clock, which would be good enough for third place at the finish and 15 league points for the Irishman.

Victory went to Switzerland’s Bryan Balsiger and Dubai du Bois Pinchet with a clear in 41.38, while Norway’s Victoria Gulliksen and Equine America Papa Roach finished as runners-up in 43.62. Tipperary’s Thomas Ryan was also among the starters, and finished with one fence down in the first round with Springfield.

BREEDING

Kilkenny (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Cardento (HOLST) out of MHS Pembrook Lady (ISH) by Guidam (SF), bred by Sinead Brennan, Co Kilkenny. Owner Susan Magnier. Rider Cian O’Connor.

Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick (ISH) – 2010 mare by Limmerick (HOLST) out of Go Luckey (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeder: Dorothea Wilson. Owner: Robin Bingham. Rider: Niamh McEvoy (IRL).