INTERNATIONAL show jumping may be quiet this week, but the show that is taking place in Mechelen, Belgium is certainly drawing Irish attention. It is playing host to the final of the FEI Jumping Ponies’ Trophy and, with the talented pony riders and their mounts currently competing for Ireland, it is proving to be a very exciting show.

Limerick’s Kian Dore won two legs of the five-leg competition, at Lyon and Stuttgart, and was at the top of the leader board heading to Mechelen. Ireland’s talent doesn’t stop there though, as Lauren Adams won the FEI Jumping Ponies’ Trophy Grand Prix at Salzburg, with Senan Reape, Jack Cash and Abbie Oakey also in the top 10.

The final of this prestigious FEI Jumping Ponies’ Trophy competition runs in three parts. The first of these took place on Wednesday, December 27, as a 1.30m Table C competition, where Dore and Sparkling Lackaghmore Joey came fifth after being unfortunate to knock a pole and finish on 60.59 seconds. They were followed by Jack Cash and Quina van’T Gestelhof in seventh place on 62.07.

On Thursday, in the FEI Jumping Ponies’ Trophy second final competition at 1.35m, Dore and Sparkling Lackaghmore Joey took a superb win for Ireland, with a jump-off time of 31.98 seconds – more than two seconds faster than German runner-up, Rafael Reichart-Eisenhardt on Casino Royale, who finished in 34.27 seconds. There were just four double clears in the competition. Ireland had two more in the top 10, with Lauren Adams on Slieve Bloom Bella Rose placing eighth and Jack Cash on Quina van’T Gestelhof in 10th. Dore remains at the top of the leader board going into the last competition.

Speaking to The Irish Field from his hotel in Belgium yesterday, Kian was cautiously optimistic about Saturday’s final.

“The plan was to finish as high on the leader board as possible by the end of the week and I’m lying in first, so we are in a good position,” he said.

“We finished fifth on Wednesday and then the plan was to ride fast and tight on Thursday and that paid off. He has been in great form all year and loves to perform in front of big crowds in big arenas.

“I’m excited about the final and fingers crossed it goes our way.”

All eyes will be on Mechelen today and the team here at Irish Horse World wish Kian the best of luck.

Five-star form

Thursday also saw Jessica Burke on African Affair placing seventh in the five-star 1.40m class, with Jack Ryan on Kannem JAZ in 10th. The class was won by Great Britain’s Matthew Sampson riding Irish Sport Horse MGH Candy Girl (Sligo Candy Boy x Cruising).

In Thursday’s five-star 1.50m class, Burke and Nikey HH finished in fifth place, with a double clear and a jump-off time of 37.41 seconds.