SHOWJUMPING:KILKENNY HORSEWOMAN Marion Hughes had tears in her eyes as she completed a lap of honour on winning the opening competition of the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show 2012.
Hughes galloped off at an unstoppable pace to claim the Fáilte Stakes, winning on a mare bred by her late mother Ann, who passed away in January. The Fáilte Stakes saw Ireland dominate the first three placings as Hughes’s impressive round in 58.97 with Heritage HHS Fortuna outshone those of her colleagues Conor Swail, Tholm Keane and even Olympic gold medallist Nick Skelton.
Sheets of rain resulted in many riders donning raincoats and waterproof breeches over their jodhpurs as course builder Alan Wade kept the course intact. Later in the day sand bags and marquee pegs were used to pin down the fences.
Heritage HHS Fortuna, an 11-year-old chestnut mare bred by Ann Hughes of Cuffesgrange, was unbeatable as she sped to victory despite relentless rain.
None of the 47 other riders came close to beating Hughes, who was nearly two seconds faster than Co Down’s Conor Swail on Martha Louise, clear in 60.79.
Great Britain’s William Funnell collected the red riband in the Bewley’s Hotels Speed Stakes, having the fastest time of 64.84 on a chestnut gelding sired by Tipperary stallion Harlequin du Carel, and owned by Ms E Macey.
French ace Roger-Yves Bost was a close second in 65.16 on the stallion Castleforbes Vivaldo, owned by Lady Georgina Forbes of Castleforbes, Co Longford.
Again Ireland stepped into the limelight with a third and fourth for Shane Breen on Ominerale Courcelle and Michael Duffy making his debut with Killard Horizon.
The Sports Council Classic saw Swiss rider Arthur Gustavo brave the gusts of wind to collect €7,590 on La Toya, the 17-year-old mare formerly owned and ridden by Marcus Fuchs.
Greg Broderick dominated the opening six-year-old jump-off national class in the main arena which started at 8.35am by taking first and third with Good Girl and MHS Going Global.
Winners in the pony qualifiers were Aaron O’Leary on Some Journey, owned by Emer O’Leary, for 128cm, with Adam Carey on Scarlett’s Billy the Kid taking first in the 138cm ponies.
Showjumping internationals today: Speed Derby 13.10
Knight Frank Speed Stakes 15.15
Anglesea Stakes 18.20