Mayo showjumper Cameron Hanley, who has recovered from a serious leg injury which prevents him from running, won
the Avery Crest Ski Chalets Speed Stakes on the opening day of the Dublin Horse Show yesterday.
Hanley, now based in Germany, won the Grand Prix of Chantilly two weeks ago with Antello. He arrived in Dublin in top form to win the opening class with Newton du Haut Bois, a bay gelding by the former world champion stallion Cumano.
Hanley recorded the fastest time of 53.97 seconds to beat Irish colleagues Thomas Ryan, clear in 55.14 on the grey Cruise on Clover, and Michael Duffy, with Westland Ruby, clear in 55.35 seconds.
Jessica Springsteen (USA) finished in sixth place on her newly purchased French horse Davendy S.
Touch of Caricello
Kilkenny’s Eddie Moloney claimed the Horse Sport Ireland six-year-old 1.30m event on the Irish bred gelding A Touch of Caricello. From a 17-horse jump-off, Moloney won in 48.27 seconds, a fraction faster than Kilkenny’s Ger O’Neill with Dondoctro Ryal K, clear in 48.36 seconds.
Darragh Kenny can do no wrong, having won in Aachen and Chantilly recently. He returned to the RDS to take the Irish Sports Council Classic with the bay French-bred Picolo by Diamant de Semilly.
Kenny, who is based in the US, was one of 14 jump-off riders and was untouchable to win in 35.22 seconds.
Britain’s Ben Maher, with Aristo Z, occupied the runner-up slot in 36.12.
Athlone’s Katie Derwin and Sligo Lux to Queeney won the 138cm pony qualifier, with Wexford’s Michael James Pender and Doon Ladie taking first in the 148cm ponies. Ashley Dunne with Wingland Heloise were winners of the 128cm pony qualifier.
There was sadness at the RDS at the news that a former British showjumping chef d’equipe Michael Bullman, who spent many happy years bringing riders to the show, died aged 72 at his home in Hungary. Bullman was a much loved showjumping personality.
