THERE was further success for Irish riders in the seven-year-old final at the FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championships, with Co Wexford’s Harry Allen taking home the gold medal with the Italian-bred mare Kumina Della Caccia after a thrilling 11-horse jump-off.

Nine years after older brother Bertram claimed the same Championship victory with Barnike, it was Harry’s turn to claim Ireland’s second gold medal of the day when stopping the clock in a time of 35.30 seconds.

Coming to Lanaken on the back of some good international results this year from shows in Samorin (Slovakia), Chantilly (France), Aachen (Germany), Kronenberg (Netherlands), Bratislava (Slovakia) and Vejer De La Frontera (Spain), the world’s number 183 ranked rider left nothing to chance when coming home 0.6 seconds faster than Germany’s Philip Rüpling and Casanina PS. Dutch rider Renee de Weert and Labantrix (KWPN) completed the podium line-up.

Speaking afterwards Allen said: “I think she’s an unbelievable horse, maybe the best seven-year-old I’ve ever ridden.

“Everywhere we go she just jumps fantastic and actually a course with four faults is a bad result for her! We also had a strong season with a victory during the final class in Bratislava and she also jumped two fantastic rounds in Aachen.

“I’m not too sure of the plan for her now. She’s owned by American rider Adrienne Sterlincht and was sold in our Aloga Auction last year and Adrienne let me keep the ride on her. We agreed that I could continue to ride her for a while until she’s eight years old next year. Then we will make a new plan for her.”

This result makes the Allen brothers the first set of Irish brothers to both win the same final at the Breeding Championships in Lanaken.

Jump-off

A total of 40 combinations lined out for the seven-year-old finals and 11 of those managed to qualify for the jump-off. As the sixth to go, Allen and Kumina Della Caccia (MIPAAF) were unbeatable on 35.30. This Italian-bred mare is by Kannan out of Toulon and was bred by Coop. Soc. Agr. La Caccia-Onlus. She comes from the same damline as the stallion Kashmir van Schuttershof.

The silver in this final went to the German rider Philip Rüping with the Oldenburg mare Casanina PS, a daughter of Casallco and Chacco Blue who, as her name suggests, was bred by Paul Schockemöhle. Rüping and Casanina PS had just taken over the lead with a clear round in 35.90 seconds, but ultimately had to settle for second place.

The bronze went Dutch rider Renee de Weert with the KWPN mare Labantrix, a daughter of Eldorado van de Zeshoek and Abantos, who was bred by Stal van den Broek and who is also a half-sister of the mare Z-Canta VDM (Casantos), who jumped at 1.60m level under the saddle of American rider Catherine Pasmore. De Weert finished on 38.55.

Carlow’s Jason Foley also made it into the jump-off on this class with Mister Querly Z (ZANG) and finished in ninth place overall.

Incredible achievement

Irish Horse Board Director General Alison Corbally congratulated Allen and all the team at Ballywalter Stables on the victory.

“This result capped a superb championships for Ireland, winning two gold, two silver and a bronze medal. Almost 700 horses and riders started the week here in Lanaken, and of the nine medals that were on offer, Ireland has won five of them which is an incredible achievement from all the breeders, owners, riders and those working behind the scenes.”

ISH breeding

HHS Ocala (ISH)

2018, Gelding by Urano De Cartigny (SF), out of Hera Van’t Roosakker (BWP), by Wandor Van De Mispelaere (BWP).

Breeder & Owner: Bravo Hughes Ltd.

Rider: Michael Pender (IRL)

Boleybawn Alvaro (ISH)

2018, Stallion by Dominator 2000 Z (ZANG), out of Arina (KWPN) by Crown Z.

Breeder: Ronan Rothwell, Co. Wicklow.

Owner: GBBS International Ltd & Ronan Rothwell.

Rider: Niamh McEvoy (IRL)

Ballyshan B F Super Hero (ISH)

2018, Gelding by Celtic Hero B Z (ZANG), out of Ballyshan Luximportant (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeder: Gary Doherty, Co. Donegal.

Owner: Martin Egan.

Rider: Ger O’Neill (IRL)

Laurina (ISH)

2017, Mare by Stakkato Gold (Hann) out of Rincarina (ISH)[TIH], by Cruising (ISH)[TIH].

Breeder: The late Dr. Noel Cawley, Co. Kildare.

Owner: Lisa Cawley.

Rider: Leah Stack (IRL).