Jessica Kürten’s tenure as Horse Sport Ireland’s High Performance Show Jumping Manager began on a positive note with a podium finish for Ireland in the four-star Nations Cup in Sharjah.

The third-place result capped a week in which Irish riders again demonstrated their depth across multiple levels on the international circuit, with major victories recorded in the United States and the Middle East.

Kürten blended youth and experience in her first team selection, naming Trevor and Shane Breen alongside David Simpson and Mikey Pender. Simpson acted as pathfinder, recording two four-fault rounds aboard Billy Fern, while Trevor Breen and Kannoon Blue matched that score in the opening round.

Clear rounds from Pender with the Miguel Bravo-bred Irish Sport Horse HHS Orchidee and Shane Breen with BP Arctic Blue left Ireland lying second at halfway, behind a faultless German team. Germany ultimately claimed victory after double clears from David Will and Sophie Hinners, while Ireland finished with 20 faults, slipping to third behind the host UAE.

“It was a great podium finish today from a team of young horses and great riders,” said Kürten. “It was a good opportunity to give these horses some exposure and experience at this level, looking towards the future.”

Elsewhere, James Chawke secured his first five-star international victory at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California, winning a 1.45m speed class aboard Daido van’t Ruytershof Z. The Portlaoise rider produced the fastest clear of the class to claim the landmark win.

“I’m really happy,” said Chawke. “Alan Wade always builds a good course. She’s a really quick horse — careful, very game and spicy, but very sweet.”

Ireland also dominated top-level competition in Florida. Shane Sweetnam led an Irish one-two in the $215,000 MARS Equestrian Grand Prix at Wellington International, producing a decisive jump-off round aboard Coriaan van Klapscheut Z to edge out Bertram Allen.

Daniel Coyle continued the strong run of form with victory in the $200,000 Gary Yeomans Ford Grand Prix at Ocala, guiding 16-year-old Farrel to the fastest jump-off time.

Earlier in the week at the same venue, Tom Wachman claimed a four-star Grand Prix Qualifier win with Do It Easy, adding to Ireland’s growing list of international successes as the season gathers momentum. 

Image Credit: Horse Sport Ireland

 

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