Ireland Enjoys Weekend of Spectacular Success

Irish riders and horses have enjoyed a weekend of spectacular success, including three European Championship medals, a Nations' Cup victory, several five star wins and a number of top ten Grand Prix placings.

In senior show jumping, an Irish team won the coveted Hickstead Nations' Cup in England for the first time since 2001, with Richie Moloney and Ahorn van de Zuithoeve, Darragh Kerins on Lisona, Shane Breen with Cos I Can and Clem McMahon with Pacino recording just four faults over two rounds to beat the world's best show jumping teams.

Breen went on to win the Hickstead Speed Class with Ominerale Courcelle, while Moloney took second on Alsvid. Tipperary's Breen also finished eighth in the King George V Gold Cup with Cos I Can, as well as having a second place in Thursday's Two Phase competition with Balloon, and a win in Thursday's speed class with Ominerale Courcelle, Clem McMahon claiming the runner-up spot with Point Two Elvis.

Yet another Irish victory at Hickstead went to Keith Doyle and Walk Tall II in the national Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

In Pony Eventing, the Irish team of Cathal Daniels and Master Murrose, Ana O'Brien with Ice Cool Bailey, Lucy Latta and Nono and Gavin Smiddy with Mr. Hale Bob won the European Gold Medal at Fontainebleau in France, with Daniels taking the Individual Gold and O'Brien the Bronze.

Denis Lynch and Lantinus claimed seventh place in the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix at Chantilly, France, with Jessica Kurten and Vincente finishing in tenth.

Nicola Fitzgibbon had a second place with Puissance in the three-star Ascona Grand Prix in Switzerland, while Conor Swail won Friday night's jump off feature class at the five-star show in San Patrignano in Italy, and was seventh in Sunday's Grand Prix, both with Lansdowne.

In Driving, Ireland's Barry Capstick beat a top international field to win the Horse Pairs in Beekbergen in the Netherlands.