COMMANDANT Geoff Curran provided the highlight of the 2023 Dublin Horse Show for the Irish when he won the Defender Puissance in front of a packed crowd on Saturday night.

Friday’s disappointment at not winning the Aga Khan was soon forgotten when the army man confidently guided The Minister for Defence and Maurice Cassidy’s gelding Bishops Quarter (Obos Quality x Cavalier Royale), bred by Gerard Murphy, to victory over the big red wall.

Some 13 contenders had started in the first of the five-round contest. Just one, Robbie Healy and KMS Clintland were knocked out in the first round when they hit the triple bar.

Four combinations failed to progress after round two; France’s Daniel Delsart (Granby) retired, while Ireland’s Jonathan Smyth (Premier Spirit), Australia’s Jake Hunter (Ardragh Mountain Dew) and Richard Howley (Mr Blue Sky) all collected four faults at the wall which stood at 2m.

Contention

With 10cms added, eight horses went forward to the third round. First in Daniel McAlinden and Sharon Fitzpatrick’s Keatingstown Z Wellie Two (Z Wellie 72) failed to clear the wall forcing them out of contention.

Jordan Coyle and Eristov had no problem and sailed through to the fourth, as did Comdt Curran, last year’s winners Mikey Pender and Hearton de Bois Halleux and Brendan Murphy aboard Erne Riverrun.

Conan Wright (Kallahen) was not so lucky and dislodged the bricks for four faults. Alex Butler (Pico) and Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer (Christina) also failed to progress, sending just four forwards to face the wall standing at 2.20m.

First in Jordan Coyle and Eristov, who shared the win in the Washington International Horse Show Puissance earlier this year, assured his place in the final round when clearing the wall.

Next to go was Curran. Yet again he produced a foot-perfect round to progress to the fifth and final round.

Mikey Pender and Brendan Murphy saw their hopes dashed as both failed to clear the wall.

Daring

So it was up to Coyle and Curran; they could choose to divide the prize money, or go on and face the wall at 2.25m. To the delight of the onlookers, they decided to continue.

Coyle was first. He approached it well, but was just slightly off the mark, taking down the white coping and leaving the door ajar for Curran.

With the confidence that only comes from knowing your horse’s ability, Comdt Curran repeated the rhythmical round which had got him here and met the wall at the perfect take-off spot.

He brought the full-house to their feet as he landed; the only rider to clear the wall at 2.25m for the win.

“He’s an unbelievable horse. Extremely brave, scopey and honest. The bigger the wall the better he jumps. I’m absolutely delighted with him. He is a superstar,” the winner commented.

“I’m privileged that I have so much scope that I don’t have to go too early in my distance, it’s about being patient in the corner, getting him straight, getting my distance and then keeping everything crossed.

“I’m delighted, not just for me but for the entire team who work so hard in the background,” added Curran about the hard working team at McKee Barracks, many who could be seen working at their stand in the main hall as well as around the grounds.