THE Gerrard Marron-bred Kinmar Quality Hero (ISH) stormed to victory in this weekend’s $120,000 CSI3* Grand Prix at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival in Michigan, USA.

His new rider Tanner Korotkin (USA) is absolutely thrilled with his Irish-bred partner.

“Kinmar is probably the most incredible horse I’ve ever ridden,” gushed Korotkin of the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, (OBOS Quality 004). “I’ve only had him for about two and a half months now. He’s a great horse with tons of scope; he’s a little slower type, but he’s quick off his feet, so I knew I could do the leave outs and he did a great job.”

Kinmar Quality Hero is a 2013 gelding by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD) out of Magician Hero (ISH) by Moujik De Sohan (SBS).

Lynch bags podium spot

WELL done to Denis Lynch and Mr Boombastic who posted a third-place finish at the Longines Global Future Champions four-star competition in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, on Friday. The 1.45m speed class was won by Belgian Wilm Vermeir and his nine-year-old chestnut mare Eytuka of Two Notes Z. Germany’s Daniel Deusser and Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z were second.

Lynch and his 10-year-old gelding were one of a dozen pairs to go clear in the initial phase and Mr Boombastic was quick and error-free to ensure a podium position for the Tipperary athlete. Lynch also had a second place finish with Four Seasons (For Pleasure) in a two-star 1.30m speed class.

O’Connor on form at Hartpury

IRISH Olympic event rider Austin O’Connor had impressive results at the NAF International Hartpury Horse Trials last weekend. Riding Kate Jarvey’s home-bred nine-year-old mare Ventura Rock, he was fourth in the Intermediate Championships. This mare is by Newmarket Venture and is half-sister to O’Connor’s Maryland five-star winner, Colorado Blue.

“She’s a very exciting young horse, who made nothing of her first advanced track and we look forward to seeing what she makes of Wellington and eight- and nine-year-old class at Blenheim,” O’Connor said. The class was won by Britain’s Oliver Townend and En Taro Des Vernier.

Then, in the CCI2*-L Section A, O’Connor was third with Diamond Mistress (Diarado). This class was won by Gemma Stevens riding Cooley Couture (Colestus). Another Irishman to have a top 10 finish was Padraig McCarthy, who finished eighth in the CCI3*-L Section B with Harthill Samba. This class was won by Roberto Scalisi with DHI Rock Dancer.