Irish make strong start at five-star Geneva

Cian O’Connor and Chatolinue PS.

Irish showjumping riders were in good form on the opening day of action at Geneva’s prestigious five-star show in Switzerland on Thursday, with Meath’s Cian O’Connor and Kilkenny’s Timmy Brennan featuring strongly.

World No.22 O’Connor scored two podium places, beginning with a third place finish with the 11-year-old mare Canbella Blue PS in the 1m45 Two Phase class.
Their second phase clear in 28.11 seconds saw them finish just over two seconds behind German winner Michael Jung with Fischer Duopower.

O’Connor recorded his second podium finish of the day in the later 1m60 jump-off class with the 12-year-old gelding Chatolinue PS. A clear second round in 47.16 saw them take third spot – two seconds behind British winner Donald Whitaker with Millfield Colette, while Germany’s Christian Ahlmann filled runner-up spot with Dourkhan Hero Z.

Timmy Brennan and Diadema Della Caccia

Meanwhile Kilkenny’s Tim Brennan and the 10-year-old mare Diadema Della Caccia stormed to victory in Geneva’s 1m40 U25 Speed class. Their brilliant clear in 58.41 seconds gave them almost two seconds to spare over Swiss runner-up Thibaut Keller. Fourth place went to the Kevin-Meagher-bred HHS Ice Flo (ISH| and Molly Hughes Bravo (POR).

Geneva will host the Rolex Top 10 final this evening with Ireland represented by World No.10, Derry’s Daniel Coyle and the 12-year-old gelding Incredible. The Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva – Part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, takes place on Sunday.

BREEDING
HHS ICE FLO (ISH) & Molly Hughes-Bravo (POR) 2017, Mare. By Iceman De Muze (BWP), Out Of Hhs Go With The Flo (ISH) By Cyrano 145 (HOLST) Bred By Kevin Meagher, Co. Tipperary Owned By Maurice Devlin, Co. Tyrone.