Irish seal win in Vejer Nations Cup

A commanding performance from the Irish Show Jumping team of Mikey Pender with HHS Los Angeles (ISH), Jason Foley with Jacksonville Eurohill, Seamus Hughes Kennedy with ESI Rocky (ISH) and Cian O’Connor with Iron Man, saw them take victory in the three-star Nations Cup at Vejer De La Frontera in Spain.

A massive field of 18 teams began the competition, with Ireland taking the lead at the halfway stage after all four of Michael Blake’s team jumped clear. The second round saw Pender and Foley pick up four faults apiece, before Hughes-Kennedy left all the poles standing aboard ESI Rocky (ISH), picking up just a time fault. Last to go, Cian O’Connor was the second round discard on 6 faults.

That left Ireland as convincing winners on a score of 9 faults. Belgium finished as runners-up on 15 faults with USA third on 17.

BREEDING
HHS Los Angeles (ISH) – 2014 mare by Le Roi (ZDP) out of China Cavalier (ISH) by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Marion Hughes. Owner: Bravo Hughes Ltd. Rider: Michael Pender (IRL).

ESI Rocky (ISH) 2015 gelding by Stakkato Gold (HANN) out of Clonaslea (BWP) by For Pleasure (HANN) Breeder: Ennisnag Stud owned by Clare Hughes ridden by Seamus Hughes-Kennedy.