Breen too hot to handle in Masters finale
Shane Breen on Compelling Z after winning the Horse Sport Ireland Show Jumping Masters at Emerald International Equestrian Centre in Enfield, Kildare. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Shane Breen scorched to victory in the inaugural Horse Sport Ireland Showjumping Masters at Emerald International Equestrian Centre in Kildare last night with a brilliant jump-off round from Compelling Z.
The Cashel-born rider, who is based at the world-famous Hickstead showgrounds in Sussex, galloped through the timers in 41.44 seconds when fourth to go in the eight-horse second-round decider and couldn't be caught.
Course designer Alan Wade, son of the late, great Irish showjumping legend Tommy Wade, set the 30 starters a tough task in the first round from which only the top eight could qualify for the jump-off.
Young Carlow star, 19-year-old Jason Foley, was first against the clock with Castlefield Vegas, but the double proved the bogey fence second time out, and a pole down here left the competition wide open.
When British-based David Simpson picked up 12 faults with Foudre F, it was 2002 world champion Dermott Lennon from Banbridge in Co Down who took the lead with the first clear in 42.54 seconds from the promising nine-year-old L'Esprit Hero Z.
Breen, however, blew that away with a fearless ride on his big grey stallion which belied his size to shave almost a second off Lennon's time.
Egypt's Sameh El Dahan and WKD Almez Moi were faster but left two on the floor, and Sligoman Richard Howley was quickest of all when breaking the beam in 39.78 but taking a pole off the first element of the double, so now only Denis Lynch and GC Chopins Bushi were left to challenge Breen for the €20,000 winner's purse.
But the favourites had to settle for third when stopping the clock on 42.58 seconds.
