The Irish Show Jumping team of Mark McAuley with GRS Lady Amaro (ISH), Jack Ryan with BBS McGregor (ISH), Max Wachman with Kilkenny (ISH) and Michael Duffy with Cantano 32, have finished in sixth place overall in this evening’s (Friday) five-star Nations Cup at the Brussels Stephex Masters in Belgium.
Photo: Max Wachman and Kilkenny (ISH) jumped two rounds without knocking a pole in the Belgian Nations Cup
The Irish team included no less than three Irish-bred horses and Louth’s Mark McAuley was the first competitor to enter the arena riding GRS Lady Amaro (ISH), bred in Co Wexford by Denis Hickey. McAuley left all the fences standing but picked up one time fault. As the competition unfolded, the time allowed would prove to be hugely influential, with many of those who followed picking up time penalties.
Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan was second to go for Ireland with BBS McGregor (ISH), bred in Kilkenny by Marguerite Ryan. They were clear coming to the last line but the last two fences fell to leave them with an 8 fault score. Tipperary’s Max Wachman and the 11-year-old gelding Kilkenny (ISH), bred by Sinead Brennan, were another combination to jump clear with just time faults, as they crossed the line with three time penalties in an otherwise perfect round as third to jump for Michael Blake’s team. Galway’s Michael Duffy was riding the anchor leg for Ireland with Cantano 32, and they would finish with a 16 fault score as the discard, which left Ireland on a 12 fault score at the halfway stage and in a share of fourth place of the nine teams competing.
The second round saw McAuley and GRS Lady Amaro (ISH) pick up 12 faults, followed by a four fault round from Ryan and BBS McGregor (ISH), with the very first fence being their only pole to fall. Max Wachman and Kilkenny (ISH) then jumped a brilliant clear round as third to jump, with the Irish pair completing two rounds of jumping over a testing course with no fences on the floor. Michael Duffy and Cantano finished with 8 faults as last to jump, to leave Ireland on a two round total of 24 faults and in sixth place overall.
Victory in the Belgian Nations Cup at the Brussels Masters went to Germany who recovered from fourth place at the halfway point to take the win on a 12 fault score. Mexico finished as runners-up on 14 faults while Britain finished third on 15 faults.
Double of wins for Bertram Allen
Meanwhile at the four-star Spanish fixture in Gijon, Wexford’s Bertram Allen scored his second win in the space of 24 hours. Allen had partnered the Irish-bred Pacino Amiro (ISH) to victory in Thursday’s 1m45 two phase class. He followed that up with another win in Friday’s 1m55 jump-off class, this time riding the 9-year-old gelding Edison de Hus (Conrad x Galoubet du Rouet). Ten combinations went forward to the jump-off, where Bertram’s clear in 45.59 seconds saw him take the top prize. His younger brother Harry Allen also featured in the prizes, finishing in fourth after a double clear with Calculatus.
Breeding
GRS Lady Amaro (ISH) – 2013 mare by Amaretto Darco (BWP) out of Legal Lady (TB) by Over The River (TB). Breeder: Denis Hickey, Co. Wexford. Owner: S.n.c McAuley. Rider: Mark McAuley (IRL).
BBS McGregor (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Cardento (HOLST) out of Random Chance (ISH) by Mark Twain (TB). Breeder and Owner: Marguerite Ryan, Co. Kilkenny. Rider: Jack Ryan (IRL).
Kilkenny (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Cardento (HOLST) out of MHS Pembrook Lady (ISH) by Guidam (SF) Breeder Sinead Brennan, Co Kilkenny. Owner Susan Magnier. Rider Max Wachman
Pacino Amiro (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Pacino (BWP) out of Carnone Dancing Queen (ISH) by NC Amiro (AES). Breeder: Simon Scott, Co. Donegal. Owner: Aiden McGrory. Rider: Bertram Allen (IRL).