THE Defender Puissance is always a crowd favourite at the RDS arena and this year was no exception, with victory shared between Ireland’s Mikey Pender and Britain’s Joseph Trunkfield.

Nine combinations lined out in the first round, which was made up of four fences - a 1.40m oxer, a vertical, a triple bar and then the wall, which stood at 1.80m. Two riders in the first round - Belgium’s Patrick Spits and Ireland’s David Simpson – faulted at the first fence and could not progress any further.

Those who sailed through to round two without any hassle were Britain’s Elliott Smith (Flamboyant II), Mikey Pender (Hearton du Bois Halleux), Joseph Trunkfield (Cruze), Paul Sims (Kingfisher); Britain’s Tim Gredley (Gentlemen vh Veldhof), Britain’s Paul Gaff (Jaranco V Z) and the defending champion, Ireland’s Commdt Geoff Curran riding the Minister for Defence’s Bishops Quarter (OBOS Quality x Cavalier Royale), who jumped 2.25m to win 12 months ago.

The wall was put up to 1.95m and it was difficult enough to lose three combinations – Gredley, Gaff and Curran. On this occasion, Bishops Quarter decided not to play ball stopping several strides out, Curran did not force the issue and retired.

This left just four combinations going forward to round three. The wall was raised to 2.05m. Smith was first, and once again cleared both fences. Pender too sailed over the big wall, as did Trunkfield. Last to go was Sims and Kingfisher. They faulted at the wall, which meant the end of their journey for this year.

Round four saw the wall raised to 2.15m. Smith once again was first to go. Flamboyant III took it on, but had it down and Smith fell from the horse.

Pender and Trunkfield both managed to clear the wall, which meant they had the option at this point of sharing the prize fund between them or going on to a fifth round, with the wall raised to 2.20m. After some delay, both riders decided to try for a fifth round and the wall was raised accordingly.

Pender was first to have a go. It was not to be and the pair had it down. Trunkfield then gave it a try. He too faulted at the wall, so the pair shared the top prize equally, each taking home €10,900.

Retirement

Pender announced after the prize giving that this was his mount Hearton du Bois Halleux’s last competition and that he will be retired to the field to enjoy the rest of his life. An emotional Pender spoke of how the horse had given him so much and how he was delighted to be able to retire him, while he was still healthy.

“He was amazing as always,” he said. “For that horse to win the Puissance here three times and to win the Derby in Hickstead, it’s a very special horse. I think he gave everything this evening again, so I think it’s a good moment for him to go to the field and enjoy himself after everything he’s done.

“He means everything. This is a fantastic competition and an amazing crowd and the horse is an expert at it and he makes my life easier. I’m very lucky and a big thanks to everybody.

“He’s 17. He’s not getting any younger, but he’s very healthy and I wanted to retire him when he was still healthy and very able.”