IRISH riders once again enjoyed plenty success at Hickstead’s Royal International five-star show, none more so than Shane Breen on his adopted home soil.

Breen’s horses didn’t have far to travel, just a couple of hundreds metres from his yard, and on Saturday he won the Breen Equestrian-sponsored Queen Elizabeth II Cup for the second year in-a-row with the 11-year-old mare Haya. Eight combinations out of the 28 starters jumped clear in the first round. Breen produced an effortlessly quick round in 37.42 seconds as second last to go before Britain’s Harriet Biddick and Night of Glory OL had to settle for the runner-up spot after crossing the finish in a time of 38.49.

Breen has now lifted the Queen Elizabeth II Cup four times (2008, 2013, 2022, 2023). “This one’s maybe better, because it’s Haya’s second time winning,” he commented on the Old Lodge Stud-owned mare. “I thought it’d be nice if she could do the double, and that’s why I chose to keep her for this class. I have a great respect for her – she’s such a nice mare, in every way.”

Robert Whitaker became the third member of his famous family to lift the iconic Longines King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead on Sunday, following in the footsteps of dad John, a three-time winner, and Uncle Michael, who won it four times. John, who jumped the winning round for Britian in Friday’s Nations Cup, bred Robert’s winning ride, the 10-year-old stallion Vermento, who was sired by the great Argento.

Scala wins Eventers’ Challenge

Carlow event rider Fred Scala produced a masterful round on Corriebeg Supernova (Silvano x Young Convinced), bred by Thomas Mannion, to win the Ashby Underwriting Eventers’ Challenge at the venue. It was the first time Scala had taken part in the class, though he has always wanted to compete at Hickstead. “I wanted to do this class forever growing up. This class was always a highlight each year, so it’s just been a dream to win,” said the 34-year-old who is now based in Derbyshire.

Although Scala incurred a four second penalty for knocking the second part of the Devil’s Dyke, he crossed the line in a time of 128.84 seconds to go into the lead and hold out ahead of defending champion Gemma Stevens and Flash Cooley.