KAN Cruise proved he really can, when winning the international 1.35m jump-off class in the main arena in Mullingar last Monday.

Sponsored by Jim Derwin Sport Horses, the competition offered a €5,000 prize pot, as well as the Madeleine Gervais Perpetual Trophy.

By Kannan, out of Ms Cruise by Cruising, the 11-year-old gelding is owned and bred by the rider’s father, John Carey.

Last August, Kan Cruise was ridden to two international wins at the Millstreet Horse Show by Daren Hopkins. On this occasion, it was Lee Carey who guided him to the win.

Some 80 combinations lined out for the class. Of these, 16 managed to produce a first round clear to progress to the timed decider.

Carey earned first place when he and Kan Cruise broke the finish beams in a very fast time of 35.21. Jack Ryan and Seamus Drea’s eight-year-old home-bred gelding DSH Lucky Junior (BBS McGregor x Luidam) took the runner-up spot in 36.29.

Third place went to Susan Fitzpatrick riding her own French-bred eight-year-old gelding Guedelon Batilly (Qlassic Bois Margot x Quaprice Bois Margot Quincy) in 38.18.

Adrian Williams’ German-bred mare Conthanja (Conthargos - Grand Step) was guided into fourth by Coen Williams in 38.48.

Australian rider Holly Lenahan rode her father Declan’s home-bred stallion Khalinov (Ustinov x Clover Flush) into fifth, while sixth place went to Abby Morton riding Joanne Morton’s Blueoak Legaland (Diamant de Semilly x Clinton).