Successful weekend for Irish horses and riders across the Atlantic

Philip McGuane and Paso Doble SCF

Irish horses and riders recorded a number of notable results this week in Florida, USA, including Co Clare’s Philip McGuane who guided the 11-year-old mare Paso Doble SCF to a runner-up finish in Sunday’s $140,000 three-star Grand Prix to close out Week 2 at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The only Irish rider to make it into the jump-off, McGuane went clear against the clock to finish a second and-a-half behind American winner Peter Lutz and Katriona.

Bertram Allen and Zero K

Wexford’s Bertram Allen and the 12-year-old mare Zero K (Kannan x Robin Z) took runner-up spot in Saturday’s $32,000 three-star Hermès 1.50m Classic at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida. Allen’s clear second round in 39.43 left him just under a second behind Venezuelan winner Luis Fernando Larrazabal and Ribery, while Britain’s Ben Maher finished third aboard Ginger-Blue.

Nina Mallevaey (FRA) and My Clementine (ISH)

World No.8 Nina Mallevaey (FRA) and the Irish-bred mare My Clementine (ISH) produced another outstanding performance, to take third place in the $200,000 four-star Grand Prix at World Equestrian Centre in Ocala, Florida.
“This is the first show back this year for My Clementine,” Mallevaey shared, adding, “I’ve been riding her for about two years now, and when she gets in the ring she’s a real fighter. It’s our first show of the year, and we didn’t miss anything!”

Francis Derwin and Gospel Tame

Athlone’s Francis Derwin continued his impressive start to the 2026 season, by scoring a commanding victory in Friday’s $32,000 Grand Prix Qualifier in Ocala. Fifty-two horse-and-rider combinations representing 11 nations competed, with Derwin piloting his own 10-year-old gelding Gospel Tame (Quadrio Tame x Panama Tame) to the fastest time of the day. Derwin was the first athlete to return for the jump-off and delivered what would stand as the winning round. “I was early to go, and there were a few quick people in it, so my plan was to stay neat and save a little for Sunday,” he said.

Meanwhile back in Europe, Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan and the Seamus Drea-bred DSH Lucky Junior (ISH) claimed an impressive third place finish in Friday’s 1m45 speed class at the two-star fixture in Vejer De La Frontera, Spain. Victory went to Germany’s Kendra Claricia Brinkop with Sniper des Lilas Blancs.

BREEDING
My Clementine (ISH) – 2015 mare by OBOS Quality (OLD) out of Qualisca de Vansichant (SBS) by Kashmir Van Schuttershof (SBS). Breeder: David Prentice. Owner: Rein Family LLC. Rider Nina Mallevaey (FRA)

DSH Lucky Junior (ISH) gelding by BBS McGregor (ISH) out of Dshlyi (ISH) by Luidam (KWPN) bred by Seamus Drea owned by Seamus Drea, ridden by Jack Ryan