Horse Sport Ireland: Show Jumping - Irish Riders Make Their Mark on Opening Day of Five Star Spruce Meadows; Kurten and Kelly in the Money at Magna Racino

Source: News Release/Colin McClelland

Show Jumping - Irish Riders Make Their Mark on
Opening Day of Five Star Spruce Meadows;

IRELAND'S Shane Sweetnam delivered his now almost traditional opening day win at the five-star show in Spruce Meadows, Canada, pushing Spy Coast Farm's stallion Cyklon across the line a fraction of a second ahead of Mexican runner-up Santiago Lambre and the gelding Zeus du Buison Z in yesterday's (Wednesday) first speed class.

Co. Down's Conor Swail, back in international classes after a long injury lay-off, placed a creditable third in the second competition of the day with Susan Grange's mare Ariana, with US champion McLain Ward and the gelding HH Carlos Z taking the trophy at the Calgary venue with three seconds in hand over the Irishman.

In the feature class of the evening Offaly's Darragh Kenny claimed a fourth place in the big 16-horse jump off aboard Hyperion Stud's stallion Imothep, recording one of 12 double clear rounds from a starting field of 43. The win went to an in-form McLain Ward, this time riding the stallion HH Cannavaro.

The competition was also notable for the third place finish of the famous 18 year-old Irish Sport Horse Flexible, who, under the guidance of the USA's Rich Fellers, outpaced many horses up to ten years younger.

Kurten and Kelly in the Money at Magna Racino

WINS on the first day (Thursday) of the show at Magna Racino in Austria for Jessica Kurten and Capt. Michael Kelly lifted Irish hopes for the weekend, while in the four-star Diamond Tour the two again claimed top ten places, with Cian O'Connor joining them in the prize money.

Kurten and the grey gelding Contadoor were victorious in the four-star Platinum Tour speed class, while in the four-star Diamond Tour she placed fifth with the grey gelding Cool And Easy in the two phase competition. Kelly was close behind in sixth on the 17 year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Mo Chroi while seventh place went to Cian O'Connor and the bay mare Quidam's Cherie.

The winner's trophy in this competition stayed on home soil when Stefan Eder and the stallion Chilli Van Dijk Nrw stopped the clock ahead of the rest of the big 62-strong field.

Meanwhile in the two-star Gold Tour, Kelly brought out another Irish Sport Horse, Drumiller Lough - who had distinguished himself with a clear round in last week's Lisbon Nations' Cup - to complete the Irish dominance of the day with a win in the speed class.

BREEDING

Drumiller Lough (ISH) – 2003 bay gelding by Heartbreaker (KWPN) out of Pearl Diver (ISH), by Mountain Pearl (ID). Bred by Paul Dillon, Co. Armagh. Owner: Minister for Defence. Rider: Capt. Michael Kelly (IRL)

Mo Chroi (ISH) – 1997 grey mare by Cruising (ISH) out of Into The Blue (ISH), by Mister Lord (TB). Bred by Claire McDonnell, Co. Wicklow. Owner: Minister for Defence. Rider: Capt. Michael Kelly (IRL)