15 Sep GAIN/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix League
John Floody wins the Opening round of the GAIN/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix League
The 2014 GAIN/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix League got underway at Ravendale Lodge in Co. Louth as part of their 3 day MSL Mercedes-Benz Autumn Grand Prix Weekend Show.
ALLEN ADDS MORE WORLD RANKING POINTS AFTER THIRD PLACE AT LAUSANNE
IRISH teenager Bertram Allen added valuable points to his Longines World Rider ranking when finishing third this evening (Sunday) in the big jump-off class at Lausanne in Switzerland.
Wexford-born Allen, who is currently Ireland’s highest-placed rider with a 32nd position in the rankings, steered the chestnut stallion Romanov into the 12-strong second round, but at the finish was almost one-and-a-half seconds off the pace of Saudi Arabian winner Abdullah Al Sharbatly and his 13 year-old mare Andrea.
Nineteen year-old Allen took home 13,500 euro for his place, while Al Sharbatly collected the winner’s prize of just under 30,000 euro.
Tipperary’s Denis Lynch was seventh in today’s five-star competition, also going clear with Querida 75.
In the European Polo Championships at Chantilly in France, the Irish team of Sebastian Dawnay (Captain), Richard Fagan, Max Hutchinson and Siobhan Herbst faced England in today’s final after a thrilling series of games, but were beaten by six goals to three.
In Canada, meanwhile, Conor Swail’s Saturday win with Martha Louise in the Suncor Energy Cup at Spruce Meadows was followed today by a third place in the speed class, just behind runner-up Shane Breen and Calido Boy. Cork’s Billy Twomey took sixth on Royale du Rouet. The winner was Belgium’s Olivier Philippaerts and Carlito C.
Breen was also a contender in Sunday night’s Rolex Grand Prix at the five-star Canadian show, but despite making it through to the second round with Golden Hawk, had three fences down with a time fault and had to settle for tenth overall. Canada’s Ian Millar took the 350,000 euro first prize on Dixson after a jump-off with the USA’s Reed Kessler and Cylana. Twenty year-old Kessler received 211,000 euro for her second place.
Kilkenny’s Marion Hughes won the one-star Grand Prix in Barcelos, Portugal today with the Irish Sport Horse Heritage HHS Fortuna, and also placed fourth on another Irish Sport Horse, HHS Pinky.
The 1.40m MSL Mercedes-Benz Autumn Grand Prix was the feature class on Sunday and carried a prize fund of €3000. 30 Riders took on the course built by Senior National Course Builder Ray Buchanan.
Meath’s John Floody recorded the first clear of the day and was joined by five others for the second round. Shenick, a bay gelding by Lux Z took the class in style, John Floody taking every tight turn from the start to claim the victory. At just 7 this horse looks and exciting prospect for the future, he was 2nd in the Irish Studbook Showjumping Series earlier this year.
The 10 year old Dutch stallion Zuidam, by Guidam, ridden by young rider Daniel Coyle took the runner up spot and fellow young rider Sophie Dalm with the 12 year old Vaillant S, a gelding by Heartbreaker, took third.
Alexander Butler, who claimed last year’s title is currently competing in Arezzo so was unavailable to begin his title defence.
This year, nine venues in total will take part in the league which is jointly sponsored by GAIN Horse Feeds and Alltech for the fourth year in succession. The GAIN/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix League goes next to Cavan Equestrian Centre on Sunday 27th September.