Success abroad as Horse Sport Ireland look for restart at home
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), is campaigning for a resumption of competition after equestrian sport was suspended under Level 5 restrictions, which were introduced 10 days ago (stock photo)
Showjumpers Shane Breen and Kevin Gallagher posted Grand Prix wins in Villamoura, Portugal and Valencia, Spain yesterday while Paul O'Shea and David Blake took top-four finishes in Saturday's Grand Prix in Lexington, Kentucky.
There were two Irish amongst the six that qualified for the 3-Star jump-off at Villamoura, but while Michael Duffy and Zilton put in the fastest time, they had to settle for third with a fence down. Portugal's Luciana Diniz and Conchento were runners-up behind Breen with Ipswich in pole position.
Riding Evito, Duffy finished second in Saturday's Accumulator and on Friday Conor Swail galloped to win the 1.45m Speed with Koss van Heiste.
In Spain, Gallagher and Ballypatrick Flamenco came out on top in the 2-Star Grand Prix in Valencia where Cian O'Connor lined up fourth with Cadiz.
Meanwhile, in the $213,000 National Horse Show Grand Prix in Lexington, Kentucky on Saturday, Limerick's Paul O'Shea pocketed $32,000 after finishing third with Skara Glen's Machu Picchu, while Clare-born David Blake collected $21,300 for fourth place with Keoki.
At home, Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), is campaigning for a resumption of competition after equestrian sport was suspended under Level 5 restrictions, which were introduced 10 days ago.
HSI is seeking parity with horse and greyhound racing which are permitted to continue. Backing that campaign, Independent TD for Clare, Michael McNamara, pointed out in the Dail a week ago that "Ireland has never been represented in the Olympics by a greyhound".
