Latest from Horse & Hound in Shane-breen

Championship horse wins his first international grand prix: ‘He answered all the questions today’

Sarah Radford — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 13:29:05 +0000

The Irish always seem to perform on a supercharged level at Bolesworth International, and they underlined it once again when Breen brothers Trevor and Shane locked down a fabulous one-two in the CSI3* Al Shira’aa grand prix, both piloting home-breds.

It was Trevor Breen and his championship track jumper Highland President — certainly not the quickest jump-off horse on paper — who stole a surprise advantage from Shane and his prolific grand prix victor Scarteen to take the €17,100 (£14,700) first prize in the Bolesworth grand prix.

Course designer Colm Quinn created the conditions for an extraordinary jump-off, where all of the nine starters, except for Shane and Trevor, lodged four faults at one of two fences. Poles fell at either the oxer in, vertical out double, or because of the demanding turn back to the penultimate vertical.

Joe Whitaker’s opening round on his “best friend” and multiple international grand prix winner Hulahupe JR was the quickest of the class. Despite lowering the tricky vertical on the line home, they held the lead til midfield.

Shane then gave a masterclass in efficient jumping with Scarteen, delivering the first clean sheet, but at 2.36sec slower than Joe, he left the door ajar for a challenge.

How Trevor Breen won the Bolesworth grand prix

Trevor is not a fan of final draw with Highland President — “he’s not a notoriously fast horse and I’d rather do my own thing and see where I end up”, he said — but in this instance it played to his advantage, allowing him to nick 0.26sec from his brother’s target.

“I could just hear ‘four faults, four faults, four faults’ as I was warming up,” Trevor said. “Shane was pretty steady with his advice but he told me he was slow to the double. I thought I wouldn’t take a huge risk, but I’d take more risk there, and that’s where I pipped him really.

“The double was short in the first round and the second part had solid green poles, and they jump that a little worse than coloured poles, which may have been a factor in the faults there.”

It was a first ever international grand prix success for Highland President, owned and bred by Trevor’s in-laws Heather and Ian Black.

“He’s fast in first rounds but not in a jump-off when it’s twisty, he can be difficult to turn. Today he was fantastic though,” Trevor said. “He listened and answered all the questions.”

Shane said he was “delighted” for his younger brother to win the Bolesworth grand prix.

“I handed it to him and should probably have done nine strides to the last and I didn’t,” he said. “Scarteen will jump the four-star next week, which he won two years ago. He felt in great shape today, so I am looking forward to that.”

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Shane Breen reveals how to tackle the iconic Hickstead Derby course, fence by fence

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 07:34:58 +0000

The Hickstead Derby course remains the same year after year, and is much longer than your average showjumping course at 1,195m, with 21 jumping efforts.

Since the master of Hickstead Douglas Bunn held the first Hickstead Derby in 1961, the class has attracted a succession of the world’s leading athletes and horses ready to bravely tackle its notorious fences, from the fiendishly difficult Devil’s Dyke to the world renowned 10ft6in Bank.

Clear rounds are remarkably hard to achieve, so what does it take? Winner of the 2022 Hickstead Derby Shane Breen shares his insight.

“There’s nothing quite like trotting into the International Arena at Hickstead to compete in this special class,” says Shane, who won the Hickstead Derby with the sole clear that year on Can Ya Makan.

“Many of the experienced horses rise to the occasion, but when the crowd applauds it’s natural for them to get a bit anxious – they know it’s show time. From a rider’s point of view, you’re therefore trying to get them settled and relaxed before the bell rings for you to start.”

How to ride the Hickstead Derby course, fence by fence

The Cornishman eases riders in, but nothing should be taken for granted. (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Fence 1: The Cornishman

Height: 4ft 8in/1.42m

“Horses don’t normally spook at a fence like this; even Hickstead Derby newcomers will have jumped a similar brick wall. Never dismiss it though – one year John Ledingham and Kilbaha did a funny slip coming into it in the jump-off and knocked the rustic pole off the top. You can’t take anything for granted around the Hickstead Derby.”

Not particularly high, but very wide, the white oxer will catch out the underpaced. (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Fence 2: white oxer

Height: 4ft 3in/1.30m

Width: 6ft 6in/1.98m

“Some horses can get a bit high over it because they’re not used to seeing Christmas trees in a jump like that, but again it’s Derby day so people have schooled and prepared – the course hasn’t changed for more than 60 years so you can do your homework.”

“You need to meet the first fence on a good stride with good pace so the second one comes easy.” (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Fence 3a and b: double of water ditches

Height: 5ft/1.52m (3a), 5ft 2in/1.57m (3b)

“These are all about straightness, the approach and good rhythm. The fences are very tall and if it’s a sunny day you can get glare off the water underneath, so with that, the blue of the water and the white rails, you do have to focus to see the poles. The ground is running downhill, so you need to keep your leg on but sit tall.

“You land and you’ve one stride before the second obstacle, which is exactly like the first but even bigger. They’re a bit like jumping two triple bars because from take-off to clearing the top rail is such a stretch. You need to meet the first fence on a good stride with good pace so the second one comes easy – miss it and the second one feels twice as big and wide!”

The black gate requires precision. (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Fence 4: black gate

Height: 5ft 3in/1.60m

“The gate is maximum height and falls easily, so it takes precision, but it’s also placed beside the pond, which doesn’t seem to give the horses any problems but it’s down to the rider to get a nice rhythm, very balanced and a good stride. You rarely see gates in jumping tracks nowadays but it does jump well.”

At 1.60m, the wall is one of the tallest fences on the course. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Fence 5: wall

Height: 5ft 3in/1.60m

“Similarly the wall is one of the tallest on course, with an arch underneath, but very rarely do you see a horse take a brick off. The fence is lighter than years before when it was chunkier and wider.”

“There’s still a long way to go after fence six.” (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Fence 6: privet hedge oxer

Height: 4ft 11in/1.50m

Width: 6ft 6in/1.98m

“It’s wide and those poles are about 16 ft long, which is remarkable. You’re coming away from the in-gate, so again you need to make sure your rhythm is correct and you’re on a good stride to make it easy for the horse to clear it – there’s still a long way to go, so you don’t want them having to overexert themselves at this stage.”

The road fence involves jumping on and off raised ground. (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Fence 7a and b: road fence

Height: 5ft/1.52m (7a), 5ft 2in/1.57m (7b)

“You’re drawn here nicely on a line from the hedge and again the poles here are so long that every horse seems to hit it in the middle. You jump onto the higher ground, then there are three strides across the top before you jump out, and you can really feel the drop.”

Approaching the Hickstead Derby bank. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Fence 8: Derby bank

Rail height: 3ft 5in/1.04m

Drop: 10ft 6in/3.20m

“You’ve a bit of time now to fix your hat or give your horse a reassuring pat on the neck. You’re in your own little world, but you can feel the hush of the crowd waiting to see how you’ll execute the Bank. You canter up and ideally you just pop over the fence at the top to give you time to steady up before the drop – the fence is small in comparison with everything else, but it’s still big enough, especially situated up there, to warrant respect.

“Obviously you won’t have schooled over a bank with those kind of dimensions but everybody will have prepared down a bank of some description because you want your horse to be really confident so that when you’ve come to a standstill at the top, there’s no risk of them stepping back, or even putting too much pressure on and going down too quick.

Once you’ve ascended the bank and jumped the rail, it’s time to negotiate the drop. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

“When he makes the initial descent with his front legs, he should know to gently follow on until halfway down before he pops off the side of it. I’ve ridden it the same way every year – pop the fence, steady up, talk to the horse, let them do their thing.”

The perfect descent allows you two strides to fence nine. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Fence 9: white rails

Height: 5ft 3in/1.60m

“It doesn’t always go smoothly, of course, but the perfect descent allows you two very nice normal strides to the rails, which are tall. If you’re clear over them, it’s a very welcome round of applause! But you have to block that out because this is where you need to steer your route carefully to the Devil’s Dyke.”

“Horses tend to drift right through the Dyke because of the camber.” (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Fence 10a, b and c: Devil’s Dyke

Height: 4ft 9in/1.45m (10a), 4ft 9in/1.45m (10b), 4ft 8in/1.42m (10c)

“Opinion is divided here, some go to the left of the road jump, some go to the right but keep away from the crowds, but in the last few years I’ve come to the right of the road jump and cantered all the way up along the rail. I try to go far enough along that when I come off the fence, I’ve four strides.

“Horses tend to drift right through the Dyke because of the camber, so I jump the opening fence slightly left of centre, so they’ll hit the B part in the middle, hoping they’ll only be slightly right of centre for the C element. It’s also quite a steep drop from take-off to landing over fence A, which catches the horse’s eye, taking their attention away from the pole and that’s when you can have a fault. It really is a combination like no other.”

“When you turn for the water, pick up the distance you want and kick on!” (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Fence 11: open water

Height: 15ft/5.6m wide

“By this point, horses have had two out-of-the-ordinary experiences with the Bank and Devil’s Dyke so it’s time for you both to take a deep breath, especially if you’re still clear. There’s a 3m rise in gradient from the bottom of the arena to the Master’s Box – you’re travelling uphill at this point so you don’t want to set off at the water too early.

“I find you’re better off to get up the hill, then when you turn for the water, pick up the distance you want and kick on! Water jumps can cause horses to spook and wobble in normal jumping classes, but interestingly in the Derby the water doesn’t seem to cause any trouble.”

Another maximum height fence at 12. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Fence 12: Derby rails

Height: 5ft 3in/1.60m

“After the water you have 10 or 11 strides to the very tall Derby rails – most people seem to jump it on the right hand side of its five sections because it’s then a tight enough turn back to the dry ditch.”

Fence 13 has a 6ft wide ditch. (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Fence 13: dry ditch

Height: 5ft 1in/1.55m

Ditch width: 6ft/1.8m

“Dimension-wise, this is quite similar to fence three, the double of water ditches – it’s quite a stretch but if the horses are confident about jumping the dry ditch, they normally clear it well.”

This fence normally jumps well. (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Fence 14: balustrades

Height: 5ft 3in/1.60m

“Seven or eight strides later – which is purely down to the rider’s discretion and I’ve done both, but eight strides is my preference as it keeps you more balanced – the balustrades normally jump well. However, you’re travelling downhill again and if the horses are getting a bit tired, they can land over the dry ditch on their forehand.”

While the first element of fence 15 is an upright, the second is 5ft 6in wide. (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Fence 15a and b: double of gates

Height: 4ft 10in/1.47m (15a, 15b)

Width: 5ft 6in/1.68m (15b)

“You’re turning left-handed to go back up the arena, so you want to try to get a tired horse nicely collected, with good power in the hindlegs, to jump the first gate, then it’s one stride and a stretch over the second gate with a pole out the back. It’s wide, and horses tend to back off the gates, so it’s quite an effort for a horse who has made a lot of effort already in the last 85 seconds!”

“Keep your cool and ride it like it’s fence two, not like you’re about to win the Derby!” (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Fence 16: rustic oxer

Height: 4ft 10in/1.47m

Width: 6ft 6in/1.98m wide

“I wouldn’t go looking at the time here, but depending on your horse or whether you’ve had a delay earlier on, you might check it as you reach the home straight. It takes time to get to the final big, brown oxer with Christmas trees in the middle, because you’re coming round the water jump, making it easier to find your line.

“There are four sections and it’s quite long, which is good because it means you can ride at it a bit – but you also have to keep your cool and ride it like it’s fence two, not like you’re about to win the Derby! It ain’t over till the fat lady sings and that big oxer requires your full attention. Your horse has helped you over the previous 15 fences and you’re a partnership so don’t let your guard down here – it’s your turn to support him and help the horse jump it.

“Riders tend to pick one of the uprights to aim at because the poles are flush with the uprights, which encourages a horse to jump a bit higher. If you land and you’re clear, there’s a great cheer from the packed stands – there really is no better feeling.”

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Scott Brash lands a grand prix double – again! ‘These results are many years of hard work from a lot of people behind the scenes’

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:57:19 +0000

Whatever Scott Brash is putting in his porridge, we all want a spoonful because the world number two is absolutely flying.

Just a fortnight after he landed a first-ever brace of grands prix in one day in Doha, Qatar, the Scotsman repeated the feat at the HH The Father Amir’s Prix 2026 at Al Shaqab with victory first in this week’s CSI3* grand prix on the tour riding Hello Folie, followed by a triumphant assault on the five-star equivalent with rising star Hello Mango.

It was simply another outstanding day in the life of this all-conquering horseman and his brilliant team.

“It was a great day,” admitted Scott. “I’m in an unbelievable position right now. These results are many years of hard work from a lot of people behind the scenes – grooms, vets, physios, farriers… So I’m delighted for the whole team.”

Scott Brash and a maiden international success for Hello Mango

Scott Brash’s five-star success was a first international victory for Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham’s quality 11-year-old Hello Mango (Untouchable 27 x Numero Uno), who Scott has been producing slowly to the top level.

“It’s been a while coming, but I’ve always thought she’s capable of doing something really good so it’s nice to actually achieve it,” said Scott. “Just a couple of things have taken a bit more time with her. We’ve all put in a lot of hard work to get her to this point.

“She’s super-scopey, she’s careful and she has a good stride – she has all the attributes – but she gets a little sharp sometimes, so it’s taken time to get her relaxed,” explained Scott, who was seen offering the mare a reassuring pat before squeezing against the clock, where they soared home nearly half a second quicker than the rest of the field.

“I didn’t think it was a perfect jump-off round, though – there are a few little things that could improve – but she just showed how good she really is, so I’m really excited for her.”

Hello Mango was sporting nasal strips (like these ones) just to “help get a bit more oxygen in”.

“She’s sharp, so she needs a bit more oxygen to support her system and we feel the strips help her,” revealed Scott Brash.

He and his European silver medal-winning partner Hello Folie topped the three-star equivalent after a 13-way jump-off.

“She had two weeks off after jumping here the first week, so I thought the three-star was nice just to make life a bit easier for her and she skipped round it,” he said. “It was nice to go last, so I could see what I needed to do, and she was great as always. She loves jumping, she loves what she does.”

Millie Allen continued the British success when she headed Friday’s five-star speed class, riding the 10-year-old Quick Diamant HR.

Shane Breen and BP Arctic Blue jump to victory in the World Cup at the Al Shira’aa International Horse Show in Abu Dhabi, UAE. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Shane Breen triumphs in World Cup

It wasn’t just Scott Brash celebrating multiple wins this week. At the Al Shira’aa International Horse Show in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the Breen Equestrian team celebrated a winning bonanza. Irishman Shane Breen and the stunning 10-year-old gelding BP Arctic Blue produced a coming-of-age performance to land the CSI4* Al Shira’aa Longines FEI World Cup with the sole double clear.

Shane has produced the “dream” son of A Pikachu De Muze x Chacco-Blue for the past two years and credited his wife Chloe “for trusting my judgement when we purchased BP Arctic Blue from a close friend, Greg Broderick”. The pair have delivered some eye-catching wins along the way, but this was an exciting step up.

“I watched a few combinations go early and saw that it wasn’t an easy course,” he said. “BP Arctic Blue was stepping up to this level, so my focus was simply to ride my round, jump clear and see how that played out. He had a look in a couple of places, especially at the planks, but my priority was to bring him home safely. To win here is very special.”

Finishing second to Shane in the World Cup with three time-faults was Italian rider Guido Grimaldi (Gentleman), and Shane’s new stable jockey Sandy McLean finished third on 10-year-old mare Calixte Heartbreaker Z. This daughter of Cicero Z Van Paemel was bred at Weston Lawns Stud and previously ridden by Will Fletcher. She is now co-owned by Breen Equestrian and Annabel Vere Nicoll and with new rider Sandy also topped a high-calibre field to win Friday’s four-star rankings class against the clock.

“To finish third in the World Cup and to have three wins over the week is incredible,” said Sandy, who also won the KAR Sport Horses seven-year-old final and qualifier, riding Breen Equestrian’s exciting stallion Opportunity (Grandorado TN NOP x Kashmir Van Schuttershof).

“I’d better let the boss win sometimes, though, otherwise I might not have a job!”

Completing Breen Equestrian’s winning bonanza, team rider Katie Speller also won the CSI2* grand prix riding Z7 Pink Panther.

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‘His legacy will live on’: sad farewell to 15-year-old grand prix-winning stallion with a textbook technique – and a kind eye

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 16:22:32 +0000

Breen Equestrian’s popular showjumping stallion Colmar has died at the age of 15. The stunning grey competed to five-star level with Hickstead-based Shane Breen, as well as Georgia Tame and Jack Ryan, before his stellar career was cut short through injury and he was retired to stud in 2020.

Shane explained to H&H that the same injury started playing up again recently and “just got a bit on top of Colmar”. They made the “very sad” decision to say goodbye to him this week following veterinary advice.

“I’ve been getting lots of very nice messages and videos from people who have some of his offspring – he’s left a good old stamp of himself around the place,” said Shane.

Colmar stallion: the next generation

Irishman Shane is particularly excited about Colmar’s four-year-old licensed stallion son BE Bunny, who is out of Shane’s top mare Zarnita.

“He looks exciting. He could do with having some of Colmar’s temperament though – he’s a bit full of himself and boisterous!” said Shane. “If he develops Colmar’s lovely, placid mannerisms, he’ll be a pleasure.”

It was Colmar’s “lovely temperament” that really stood out and he “had a fantastic technique, a super way of jumping – he was so, so careful” said Shane of the stallion’s “textbook” style.

He was also described as “a very elegant horse, with a beautiful head and a kind eye”, as well as boasting a big canter with floaty paces.

Colmar and Shane Breen in action in the six-year-old class at Royal Windsor Horse Show. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Spotted as a three-year-old: “a lovely horse to work with”

Colmar, by Colestus (Cornet Obolensky) and out of Quidam’s Rubin mare Piritta, was bought by Shane and Michael Quirke, the Pysarenko family and Ruslan Havrylyuk as a three-year-old after he won a loose jumping competition in Leipzig.

He performed exceptionally well in young horse classes, going on to be placed in a 1.60m grand prix and win a CSI2* grand prix in Abu Dhabi with Jack Ryan. Shane Breen and Colmar were even placed in a puissance at the World Cup show in Oslo.

“He was spotted early on and people followed him,” said Shane. “Those same people are now excited about the future with his offspring.

“He had always been a lovely horse to work with – he had a lovely temperament, great nature and a special technique that he has passed on to the next generation.”

Colmar’s co-owners Anatoliy and Konstantin Pysarenko said they were “sad to see a superstar go so early, may he gallop joyfully in the green fields of heaven,” adding that he will “always be in our hearts”.

“Thank you for everything, Colmar,” they said.

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Sad farewell to Derby hero, aged 27: ‘A legend in the ring and part of the family’

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 10:21:51 +0000

Leading showjumpers William Funnell and Shane Breen have paid tribute to the great Dorada, who has died at the age of 27.

The Breens described the much-loved chestnut, who won in every type of class across the world, as “a legend in the ring” and “for ever in our hearts”.

“Everywhere we went, he won – either a jump-off class or a speed class,” Shane told H&H. “From speed Derbys to Derbys to grands prix to speed horse of the year – he excelled at everything.”

Shane Breen on Dorada: “an out-and-out winner”

Shane first spotted the Irish-bred son of Harlequin Du Carel, out of a Clover Hill mare, with his breeder, Michael Ryan, later buying him from Goresbridge Sales as a three-year-old. Shane produced Dorada up to grand prix level and, after a spell with young rider Konstantin Pysarenko in the saddle, the whizzy little chestnut continued to soar to a string of high-profile results around the world.

Dorada and Shane Breen (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Described as an “out-and-out winner” by the Breens, Dorada became best known as a Derby specialist, but he was also a demon against the clock and one of Shane’s best moments in the saddle came when they won the CSIO5* Prize of Sparkasse at Aachen in 2010.

“I jumped the Hickstead Derby on him and had the fence at the bottom of the bank one year and the dry ditch another year – just silly, four faults here and there,” said Shane, who also won the eventing grand prix at Hickstead for the second time riding Dorada. “He won at Aachen, Hamburg, Dublin, he won indoors, outdoors; it didn’t matter where, you’d pop him on the truck and he’d pay his way.”

It all started with a bet between Shane Breen and William Funnell

William Funnell’s first memory of Dorada involved a bet with Shane Breen. Little did he know that the gelding would later become one of his top string horses, although Dorada also jumped with Geir Gulliksen and his daughter Victoria from 2012 to 2013.

“Shane and I were in Arezzo, Italy, and I was riding Billy Birr and Shane was on Dorada and the horses were both chestnuts and the same age; around seven or eight,” said William.

“We both said they were horses we thought a lot of, so I challenged Shane to a high jump, winner takes all! Luckily we didn’t do it in the end, but we did have a bet which of these two horses would win the most. I think Dorada probably did win more in prize money in the end.

“I was very lucky to have Dorada for his last couple of competitive years. It was lovely to have an older horse like that, there was nothing I needed to teach him. All I had to do was get on and win with him really!

“Winning the Lummen Derby with him was one of the highlights. I always felt the Hickstead Derby was the one that got away from me though – finishing second twice, in 2012 and 2013 – but I still managed to jump clear in it.

“Then he was great at shows like Falsterbo where I could take him as a speed horse too; he was really, really fast so you knew you could win a class with him wherever you went. I think Shane taught him that!”

Lorna Breen riding Dorada at Aachen in 2009 next to the show’s grand prix winner Denis Lynch riding Lantinus. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Dorada: part of the family

Both William and Shane described Dorada as “a favourite in the stable”.

“He was an unbelievable horse to have at home,” said Shane. “When I had him, our kids were very young and you could pop them up on him and lead them around. He was part of the family.”

Dorada went to William’s owner Carol Toliver to do some amateur classes in his later years and finally ended up back at Hickstead where he was ridden and looked after by John and Lucy Bunn and their daughter Natasha, spending the the final few years of his life in complete, happy retirement.

“Rest in peace, Dorada. Thank you for the magical memories,” said the Breens.

“He was a little dinger – just a lovely, lovely character,” added William. “I think everybody who had him through the years had a lot of fun with him.”

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‘He did it all, with a smile on his face’: former Hickstead Derby winner’s fitting retirement

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 19:11:52 +0000

Shane Breen’s 2022 Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby winner Can Ya Makan was officially retired just before the 2025 competition, with fitting ceremony in the International Arena.

Shane and Team Z7’s superstar stallion, who has excelled in everything he has turned his hoof to, had one last canter around the famous ring, then the 19-year-old’s saddle was removed, and a garland put around his neck, and he was led out of the ring, a guard of honour cheering him out under the famous arch.

“He definitely doesn’t think he should retire; as we went round just now, he spotted the jumps and was pulling me towards them!” Shane said. “I had to say ‘It’s not your day; you’ve had your day.”

The Canturo stallion won across the world with Shane; in everything from speed classes to Nations Cups.

“He’s been the horse of a lifetime; he did it all, and he did it with a smile on his face,” said Shane. “Everything he went in, he won; an unbelievable horse. When you went to a show, you knew he’d pay the bills.

Can Ya Makan Retirement at The Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, Sussex, United Kingdom. June 22nd 2025 (Image credit: Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves)

“All he wanted to do was go in the ring, prick his ears and get on with the job. He was an absolute pleasure to ride.”

Shane said Can Ya Makan always knew when he’d won, and when he hadn’t.

“He’s so smart, so intelligent,” he said. “It’s great he’s a stallion as we can look forward to his offspring; so far they look beautiful and have his characteristics.

“I’m so grateful to Team Z7 for trusting me to have such an amazing horse, and we look forward to seeing some great winners among his offspring.”

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He said: ‘I knew you were going to do that!’ Top rider swipes win from under brother’s nose – with his ‘future dream horse’

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 14:15:06 +0000

Shane Breen came in last to swipe the Clipmyhorse.tv Master’s Trophy from under his brother Trevor’s nose at the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby meeting – with his “future dream horse”.

Trevor and Luidam’s Warrior had held the lead from first draw in the 12-strong jump-off with a beautifully balanced and deceptively fast round, until Shane and BP Arctic Blue came in and took over a second off their time.

“He said: ‘What did you do that for; I knew you were going to do that’!” Shane joked afterwards. “I saw him go and it was a very good round, neat and tight, but I thought I’d go full speed to the first. The late Con Power once told me that if you gallop through the start beams, you’ll always be half a second ahead of everyone, so I just thought ‘gallop’!”

Winner. Shane Breen (IRL) and BP Arctic Blue in The Clipmyhorse.TV Hickstead Master's Trophy at The Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, Sussex, United Kingdom. June 21st 2025 (Image credit: Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves)

Shane and Gibbs Int Ltd and S Richards’ nine-year-old then took a few strides out, including a flier to the last double.

“I didn’t know if I’d beaten Trevor, then looked at the clock and was dead chuffed,” he said. “Arctic Blue is an absolutely incredible horse.”

Shane spotted the son of A Pikachu De Muze as a five-year-old, then he and his wife Chloe bought him at the end of 2023.

Trevor and Shane Breen with their father John (Image credit: Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves)

“I always thought he looked like a dream horse,” he said. “I produced him quietly last year, and this year he’s been amazing; he’s jumped six grands prix, won one, second in four and third, and he’s an absolute pleasure. He’s super smart and a great character, and he gives me everything; you can feel his whole body, like an elastic band. And all he wants is a few Polos and cuddles. He wants to be a celebrity, and hopefully he will be. Nine years old and for me, he’s my future dream horse.”

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‘It’s show time’: Shane Breen on how to ride the Hickstead Derby

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:30:12 +0000

It’s a unique challenge of skill, ability and bravery, so what does it take to ride round Hickstead’s famous Derby fences? 2022 winner Shane Breen guides us round ahead of this year’s renewal, which takes place on Sunday 22 June

Clear rounds are remarkably hard to achieve, so what does it take? The 2022 winner of the Hickstead Derby Shane Breen shares his insight.

“There’s nothing quite like trotting into the International Arena at Hickstead to compete in this special class,” says Shane, who won the Hickstead Derby with the sole clear on Can Ya Makan three years ago.

If you’re interested in watching the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby action in person, you can buy tickets here.

How to ride the Hickstead Derby, fence by fence

Fence 1: The Cornishman (4ft 8in/1.42m)

Fence 2: white oxer (4ft 3in/1.30m high and 6ft 6in/1.98m wide)

“You have to steer around the Irish bank to get to this oxer of white poles, so the horses don’t see it until quite late. It’s not that high but it is very wide, so you can’t just waltz round the corner under-paced and expect them to clear it. Some horses can get a bit high over it because they’re not used to seeing Christmas trees in a jump like that, but again it’s Derby day so people have schooled and prepared – the course hasn’t changed for 60 years so you can do your homework.”

Fence 3a and b: double of water ditches (5ft/1.52m and 5ft 2in/1.57m)

Fence 4: black gate (5ft 3in/1.60m)

“The Hickstead Derby’s time allowed is generous, but almost everyone turns inside the balustrade to get to the gate because you’re giving yourself a bit of extra time if you need to be patient later on, at the Bank, say. So you swing left, then you keep straight before you do a nice flying change to the right. The gate is maximum height and falls easily, so it takes precision, but it’s also placed beside the pond, which doesn’t seem to give the horses any problems but it’s down to the rider to get a nice rhythm, very balanced and a good stride. You rarely see gates in jumping tracks nowadays but it does jump well.”

Fence 5: wall (5ft 3in/1.60m)

Fence 6: privet hedge oxer (4ft 11in/1.50m high and 6ft 6in/1.98m wide)

Fence 7a and b: road jump (5ft/1.52m and 5ft 2in/1.57m)

Fence 8: Derby bank (3ft 5in/1.04m rail followed by 10ft 6in/3.20m drop)

The Derby bank.

Fence 9: white rails (5ft 3in/1.60m)

Fence 10a, b and c: Devil’s Dyke (4ft 9in/1.45m, 4ft 9in/1.45m and 4ft 8in/1.42m)

“Horses tend to drift right through the Dyke because of the camber, so I jump the opening fence slightly left of centre, so they’ll hit the b part in the middle, hoping they’ll only be slightly right of centre for the c element. It’s also quite a steep drop from take-off to landing over fence a, which catches the horse’s eye, taking their attention away from the pole and that’s when you can have a fault. It really is a combination like no other.”

Fence 11: open water (15ft/5.6m wide)

“By this point, horses have had two out-of-the-ordinary experiences with the Bank and Devil’s Dyke so it’s time for you both to take a deep breath, especially if you’re still clear. There’s a 3m rise in gradient from the bottom of the arena to the Master’s Box, so you’re travelling uphill at this point so you don’t want to set off at the water too early.

Fence 12: Derby rails (5ft 3in/1.60m)

Fence 13: dry ditch (5ft 1in/1.55m high, 6ft /1.8m wide ditch)

Fence 14: balustrades (5ft 3in/1.60m)

Fence 15a and b: double of gates (4ft 10in/1.47m and second element 5ft 6in/1.68m wide)

Fence 16: rustic oxer (4ft 10in/1.47m high, 6ft 6in/1.98m wide)

Heading to Hickstead? Don’t miss some great shopping…

There are more than 120 tradestands, up 10% from last year, for you to get stuck into if you’re heading to the Hickstead Derby meeting this week (19–22 June).

From fashion to street food, there’s something for everyone, so don’t miss out.

Has this whetted your appetite? Buy tickets to the Hickstead Derby meeting now

If you’d like to head to the Hickstead Derby meeting this week, you can buy tickets here.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Credit: Peter Nixon

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William Whitaker jumps the second of three fences that make up the Devil’s Dyke. (Image credit: Boots and Hooves)

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One epic week! Three cousins pick up HOYS tickets – and their dads didn’t do badly either

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 16:44:19 +0000

Three young cousins were part of an epic week for the Breen team as they all qualified for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) at the same show.

Darcy, 15-year-old daughter of Shane and Chloe Breen, won the 148cm open class and the pony showjumper of the year qualifier with One Sahara at South View’s summer pony premier show (30 May-1 June), and her brother Dougie, 12, won the 128cm open and came second in the HOYS qualifier with Lambay Off Broadway. Not to be outdone, 13-year-old Mia Breen, daughter of Trevor and Caroline, picked up her ticket to the 138cm championship with Another Milton.

“Chloe and I normally do all the kids together at the shows but this time I went up by myself – it made leaving at 3am and a 400-mile round trip worth it!” Caroline said. “We’re very close as a family and normally we work as a team; one of us drives the truck and one of us picks kids up from school. Trevor was in St Gallen and Shane was in Hamburg and everyone was so happy on the group chat when they qualified.”

And the rest of the Breen team had a good week too. Shane won a CSI5* 1.50m class in Hambury with Cato Boy and Trevor and Highland President jumped double clear in the CSI5* Nations Cup in St Gallen for Ireland. Georgia Tame and Loughton Diamond won the five-star speed derby in Hamburg and Eve McCoy and Hucalinde jumped double clear to help Britain win the junior Nations Cup in Zuidwolde.

Lucy Townley and Billy On My Mind and Katie Speller on Z7 Pink Panther also picked up HOYS tickets, for the newcomers and talent seekers finals respectively.

“Well, that was one epic week!” the Breen team said.

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‘He’s a bit sharp, we lunged him first’: hot home-bred takes Bolesworth CSI3* grand prix for Shane Breen

Sarah Radford — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 05:47:07 +0000

Shane Breen rose to the challenge of a testing Al Shira’aa 1.55m CSI3* grand prix with assurance, partnering the hot home-bred grey Scarteen to the fastest of just three double clears.

Course-designer Javier Trenor Paz had created a real challenge for the 48 starters on the closing day of Bolesworth’s two-week International Summer Festival. Poles dropped everywhere on his first round track, but a combination across the centre became such a bogey that the crowd applauded every time a rider negotiated it clear.

The time allowed was exacting, pushing several skilled combinations to make four-fault errors, including last week’s CSI 2* grand prix victors William Whitaker and Chacco’s Lando.

“When I walked the course I thought it suited my guy but I had to be careful not to have a time-fault. In Thursday’s rankings class I had a time-fault, so I made a plan and stuck to it,” said Shane, who has been on form throughout the two weeks, coming second to William last week riding Cato’s Boy.

“I thought Scarteen jumped really well. He’s quite sharp but has a lot of scope and is really careful. You have to sit as quietly as you can and let him get on with the job.”

Under this grand prix format, a quarter of the field go through to the jump-off. Of the 13 combinations who qualified, eight carried through four faults.

Shane was one of only four clears — Tim Gredley and Olympic hopeful Imperial HBF also remained faultless, as did James Davenport (One To Watch) and Thursday’s Longines ranking class winners Seamus Hughes Kennedy with his reigning young rider European champion ESI Rocky.

One other rider, the USA’s Maggie Hill (Elmegaardens Dakota), also left the poles standing, but added three for time.

Riders face tactical dilemma

The jump-off ran in reverse order of merit, and several of the first-round four-faulters went on to jump fast clears.

Those with clean sheets faced the tactical dilemma of whether to aim for clear and remain in decent prize money or push on against the clock, in case they lowered a pole.

Tim was the first of the clears to jump off and opted for a safe but forward round on this very promising nine-year-old, before his lead was swiftly overturned by Shane, who set a pace 3sec slower than the fastest round so far (Ellen Whitaker and Korlenski, who totalled eight faults) but well-judged enough to set an impressive standard.

James Davenport had shaken his head when asked if he could match Shane’s performance as he entered the ring, but he put in a brilliant bid on the home-bred mare One To Watch, finishing clear just 0.12sec behind Shane to slot into second place.

All eyes were on 21-year-old Seamus, who had earned his slot as last to jump with the fastest first round. He was quick everywhere with the nine-year-old Stakkato Gold x Londonderry gelding, stopping the clock an incredible 3.37sec faster than Shane but lowering the first part of the double to finish in fourth.

‘It’s a good job the grand prix wasn’t yesterday’

“Scarteen is a home-bred so it is nice to take the win on him,” said Shane, who had an on-form afternoon, having taken first and second place in his previous two classes as a prelude to the main event.

“He’s actually a very pally horse but he has to know you and when he knows you and trusts you, he gives you 100%.

“He’s a bit sharp — I rode him yesterday and he was off his head, so it’s a good job the grand prix wasn’t yesterday!” he added.

Shane sold a part-share in the 11-year-old to Marianne Schindele as a five-year-old but took the ride back last year after Peder Fredricson saw him at a show and reminded him what a good horse he owned.

Their wins on British soil since have included speed horse of the year at Horse of the Year Show and the Sussex Cup at Hickstead’s September meeting but they have also been jumping successfully internationally at five-star level.

“We have a routine with him now and lunge him first,” said Shane, who claimed €18,744 (£15,823) for his win. “He’s got incredible energy, you just have to keep him as calm as possible.”

‘It’s a hard decision’

James was “chuffed to bits” with his second place, on a horse who is also a home-bred.

“The only one I saw go was Shane before me and he was so fast, so smooth,” he said.

“It’s a hard decision to know what to do [when you’ve jumped one of just a handful of first-round clears]. It’s happened so many times that I’ve thought ‘I’ll do a good clear and get a good placing’ and then nicked a rail somewhere and ended up 12th. This time I thought ‘sod it, I’ll go as fast as I can!’

“To do that on a home-bred feels is amazing. Her half-owner Martin Dawes was here to watch today and it’s the only show he’s been to in a year, so it’s been a dream for him to see a home-bred horse do that today.

“I rode her mother, who won the silver league, and she’s identical to her, really sharp and when she’s too sharp, she’s not so good, but when you are able to put your leg on, the jump comes good. The other day I worked her in the morning and she came out this afternoon exactly where I wanted her.”

Britain’s show jumping performance manager Di Lampard was at the show to observe the hopefuls for Paris Olympics in action. Tim Gredley finished top of the nominated combinations, in third, while Robert Whitaker (Vermento) finished fifth after following up on a four-fault first round with a fast jump-off clear.

Huge-striding, ‘playful’ 17.2hh gelding lands Royal Windsor’s opening five-star: ‘I wasn’t expecting that’

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 03 May 2024 14:19:57 +0000

Royal Windsor Horse Show’s opening CSI5* showjumping class on Friday (3 May) was won in impressive style by Ireland’s Shane Breen with 17.2hh gelding Cato Boy.

As torrential rain hit the Berkshire showground during the two-phase Pearl Stakes, Shane used the 10-year-old’s ground-devouring stride to edge a 0.03sec advantage over nippy Matt Sampson and MGH Candy Girl, who had to settle for the runner-up spot. Third went to Italy’s Lorenzo De Luca on Poden Farms’ stallion Cash Du Plessis.

“I wasn’t expecting that at all,” said Shane. “I watched Matt Sampson’s round and Cato has such a big stride, you can leave out strides on him, but I wasn’t expecting to beat Matt.

“The seven strides to the last fence was long enough, but the great thing about this horse is that when you commit, he commits with you – he never thinks ‘Oh no, this is too far’ and then not actually take you there. He’s lovely.”

Cato Boy: in the genes

Nikki Rutter Giaponne’s 10-year-old by Commissario, out of Bockmann’s Lord Pezi mare Lady Gaga, is a full brother to Martin Fuchs’ prolific winner, the year older Commissar Pezi, but Shane describes the equine brothers as “totally different”.

“Cato Boy arrived in Dubai as a three-year-old and he was shown to his owner Nikki and he was absolutely the wrong horse for her to buy just because he was far too big, but she absolutely fell in love with him,” explained Shane.

“I suggested she send him to my brother Trevor, so he produced him as a six- and seven-year-old. Then I bought out half from Nikki so we owned him together and he moved from Trevor to my yard two years ago and I’ve been trying to keep producing him since.

“He’s a lovely character, he’s a bit playful and he bounces around with me sometimes, but it’s nice that he’s enjoying himself,” said Shane.

“I had Cato Boy in Arezzo for three weeks, he jumped very well down there. He’s in great form this year. He’s 10 now and he’s maturing, he’s giving me a really good feeling.

“He’s very fresh, which is a good way to have them, so now it’s just a case of getting a bit more experience in a few more rings, just to get him crafty in the ring.

“It’s great to be here in Windsor, it’s a fantastic show. To open our account with a win is always good, we just have to hope for a couple more wins!”

‘When you finally do it – it’s relief, surprise and delight… the whole lot’: Shane Breen on the ride of his life

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 13:00:57 +0000

When everything goes right, when there is total harmony and a horse gives his all – those precious moments are what a partnership is all about. Eleanor Jones finds out about one unforgettable ride...

The one ride that really stands out for Shane Breen is his win on Z7 Ipswich in the Dublin Horse Show grand prix in 2019 – more so than his Hickstead Derby win with Can Ya Makan in 2022.

“Dublin feels like home turf, it’s one I’d always wanted to win,” he says. “You do all the pony classes, and win every division, you come close, come second, and when you finally get to do it – it’s relief, surprise and delight… the whole lot.”

Shane went into the class thinking, “I didn’t have a chance.”

“It had proven to be quite a difficult track, without many clears,” he says. “But he warmed up well, and he does like that arena, and you always think, ‘Maybe, maybe there is a chance.’ As we went round, he did feel he was jumping incredibly well, but you just have to go from jump to jump.

“I think the more you’re enjoying it, they keep jumping that well. But if you think, ‘they’re jumping great, I’ve got a chance’, that can be when you tighten up, change something for a split second, and end up having a fence down. You must not overthink it, but stick to your plan.”

A clear was in the bag, and the jump-off was still to come.

“There are partnerships with horses, when you know each other so well, and know their strengths and weaknesses,” Shane says. “He’s naturally quick and there were options on the course but I didn’t take them all.

“It worked out, and there’s relief when you go into the lead, but Scott Brash was behind me and he’s quick, so I didn’t let myself think I’d done it. I didn’t watch him, but heard the crowd shouting and thought he had me. Then I saw my wife Chloe and some friends spin round, jumping up and down, and I thought, ‘Perfect. I’ve done it.’

Shane Breen on his Hickstead Derby win

“There are big days like the Hickstead Derby, too,” says Shane Breen. “I live there and walk round the arena and I’ve been second, or had a fence, or gone clear and felt I threw it away in the jump-off, and there was that eerie feeling of, ‘Will I ever do it?’

“I had [eventual winner] Can Ya Makan and Golden Hawk last year. If you’d asked me, I’d have said Golden Hawk was the favourite. They’re great horses and it didn’t make a difference to me which one won because they’re both special to me. It was a great feeling.”

Now, when Shane walks round the main arena at Hickstead, his one thought is “Can I do it again?”

“It’s days like those that keep us going,” he says. “There are plenty of times you get beat and wonder when it’ll be your day. I suppose that’s why you appreciate these good days even more. You’ve got to enjoy it, as that’s what it’s all about.”

‘I’ll be more excited than nervous next time’: meet the junior European medallist making waves

Jennifer Donald — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 16:30:42 +0000

Ever since she was a young girl, when she would ask her parents over and over again to go and feed apples to the ponies in the field in her village, Lauren Caroline has been bitten by the horsey bug. She forged a stellar career on ponies, winning team bronze at the 2023 junior European showjumping championships, and now the 18-year-old is hoping to make the same waves as she moves into young riders next year.

For the past two years in juniors, her star partner has been the 12-year-old Dutch-bred Gait L, and the dynamic duo have represented Great Britain at two European championships, on junior Nations Cup teams and just recently qualified for the prestigious Yeti Under 25 British Showjumping Championship at the London International, where they just picked up four faults in round one.

There’s plenty to be excited about in the months to come for this rising star of showjumping, and her exciting team of horses.

“Now I’ve finished my second junior year, I’m looking forward to doing young riders because I really enjoy doing the teams,” she says. “The championships this year were a great experience – I think I could have ridden a bit better, maybe. But I enjoyed the team and everyone supporting each other and you want everyone else to do well and they’re happy when you do well. It was a great experience. Now that I’ve got that kind of experience under my belt I can be a bit more excited than nervous next time.”

Lauren Caroline: “He has such a big heart”

As well as Gait, Lauren has taken the reins on her sister’s former horse, the six-year-old Breen Equestrian-bred BE Cuick One (Quick Star Kervec x Golden Hawk) and the relatively new nine-year-old Elmira Mail. All three horses came from Lauren’s trainer Shane Breen.

“I like seeing the young ones improving and coming on, and she [BE Cuick One] tries really hard for me, which I like,” she explains. “Gait is quite hot and quite a blood horse, which I like – he tries really hard for me as well, he’s got such a big heart.”

Lauren is based about 20 minutes away from Hickstead and she started going to Shane for training while she was still on ponies.

“I’m very lucky – Shane’s made me ride a lot better. He’s very specific, so I think that’s good, especially when you’re a bit younger and you’ve a few specific things that you’ve picked up from being on ponies,” says Lauren, who still has her 11hh first pony at home. “When my mum realised my sister and I liked the ponies, she put absolutely everything into us and it all worked out.”

As well as aiming for young riders in 2024, Lauren would like to do some of the big under-25 shows then “maybe in a few years a senior Nations Cup”, but she would also like to run a business on the side to help with the financial side of things.

“I’m very excited about it all,” she says. Watch this space.

‘I’ve let the horse gain belief in himself’: patience rewarded with spectacular World Cup double

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:44:06 +0000

There was one stand-out performance making showjumping news this week. Ireland’s Richard Howley found out that sometimes World Cup wins are just like waiting for buses – you land one and then another follows in quick succession. It was an outstanding feat to achieve two on the trot, so hats off to him and the team behind the brilliant gelding Consulent Du Prelet Z.

But he wasn’t the only Irishman in flying form this week, and Great Britain’s Ben Maher was among the grand prix winners. We bring you our weekly round-up of all this week’s international showjumping news and results.

‘I’m not going to put him in a bad situation’

Just a week after claiming his first sensational World Cup qualifier success in Oslo, Norway, Wetherby-based Irishman Richard Howley repeated the feat at the Helsinki International Horse Show, Finland, again with the mighty gelding Consulent De Prelet Z, a 12-year-old son of Consulent Z who Richard has been riding for two years.

Richard, 31, may have had considerably fewer rivals than the 17-way jump-off he topped last week, but from last draw he scorched home a whopping 2.59sec quickest of the eight contenders going against the clock in Finland. Second place went to Germany’s Philipp Schulze Topphoff on the big-striding mare Carla NRW, with world number one and title-holder Henrik von Eckermann third with another quality chestnut, Dzara Dorchival.

“It’s hard to take it in, but I believe in my horse 100 per cent and my team,” Richard told H&H, also crediting advice from his team-mate Mark McAuley for gaining the winning edge. “The horse gives everything every time. But I went in the ring to either win or come eighth – I was never going to be second!”

Richard’s patience in his partnership with the “very careful” Consulent, who is owned by Richard and Morgan Kent’s HK Horses and Sarah Borthwick, is clearly paying off.

“It’s from riding him well consistently, letting the horse gain belief in himself and belief in me that I’m not going to put him in a bad situation,” he explained.

“Apart from that, he’s also growing and developing, with every show he goes to he’s just getting better and better. He’s so clever and he’s so smart, so it makes my job easier because he’s so talented. I don’t think he’s even fully found himself yet – I still think he has more to give. So we’re just trying to find a bit of middle ground of consistency and trust in the partnership. I think the world of him, and my owner Sarah Borthwick and myself think this horse could give everything. But we’re just trying to get the best out of him.

“He competed very well at the Global Tour this summer and now he’s come indoors and two out of two [World Cup qualifiers] he has won. I can’t expect more from him but I’m very grateful for what he does for me.”

“I always want to win and, competing against the best riders, you have to give your all,” added Richard, who will spend the next few weeks competing in Portugal.

This season’s World Cup Final is being hosted by Saudi Arabia, and Richard said he is now “very motivated” to build on this opportunity to contest it.

“Obviously I never thought I would win both legs, even if it is always the goal to win,” said Sligo-born Richard, who pocketed €57,500 for this success.

“We’re aiming for April, we’re going to push very hard for that.”

Helsinki World Cup results

Showjumping news: home-bred enjoys more glory

The Helsinki grand prix went to Kevin Staut of France on the 10-year-old Beau De Laubry Z, and Shane Breen finished third on Cuick Star Kervec (Quick Star x Diamant De Semilly) having produced the quickest jump-off round but with four faults added. The Hickstead-based Irishman had triumphed the previous day with his super grey home-bred Scarteen, who he described as the “perfect old man’s horse”, the pair rocketing to top spot in the 1.45m speed class.

Helsinki International Horse Show results

Well, Fancy that

Elsewhere in this week’s showjumping news, in Spain’s Andalucia October Tour, Ben Walker was among the plentiful winners, finishing first and third in Sunday’s 1.35m with Emma Ziff’s Fygo Von D’Ouwe Grint and David Simpson’s Balloon Cruise, who he’d won with earlier in the week. Claudia Moore headed the same day’s 1.25m and the previous day’s 1.30m on the nine-year-old Jadraque P, while Coolmore Showjumping’s eight-year-old stallion Fancy De Kergane (Berdenn De Kergane x Cor De Hus) continues to impress, winning a 1.40m jump-off class under Cian O’Connor in week two of the tour as attention turns to this week’s Nations Cup competition.

Andalucia October Tour Week 2 results

Ben Maher and Ginger-Blue conclude Autumn MET I 2023 with a win in the CSI3 1.50m Grand Prix. (Image credit: MET/1clicphoto)

Ginger-Blue makes it two

Ben Maher and Jane Clark’s 12-year-old Plot Blue mare Ginger-Blue recorded their second grand prix victory on the Autumn Mediterranean Equestrian Tour (MET) in Oliva Nova, Spain. They topped this CSI3* 1.50m feature class after an 11-way jump-off, where they came home nearly a second quicker than Nicola Philippaerts on H&M Luna Van’t Ruytershof Z.

MET results

Showjumping news: champion of champions

Great Britain’s high-flying rider Mark Edwards racked up an outstanding string of placings on the Vilamoura Champions Tour in Portugal, including wins with seven-year-old Casque D’Or and Dillinger NE in the two-phase, and a fourth-place finish with Flying Tinker II in the CSI2* grand prix.

Vilamoura results

‘It’s a privilege to ride with him’: HOYS roof raised as John Whitaker and Shane Breen win 1.85m six-bar

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 16:28:08 +0000

The roof of the NEC must have been tugging at its moorings this afternoon, as John Whitaker and Shane Breen both cleared 1.85m (6’1”) to win the Thistledown Investments HOYS six-bar.

After the field of 16 starters had been whittled down to Shane on Cato Boy and John on Sharid, the pair had the option to share first place or go again.

“I said ‘Why don’t we go again, for the craic?’” Shane said. “With a full house like that – the crowd loves it when you go in and have a go, and it’s lovely we both went in and jumped clear. Excellent sport.”

Both horses – HH Prince Torki bin Mohammed Al Saud’s 14-year-old who has jumped many a six-bar with John, and Nikki Rutter Giaponne’s nine-year-old who was making his debut in the class with Shane – made nothing of the huge verticals, popping down the line as if it was a grid at home.

Shane BREEN riding CATO BOY and John WHITAKER riding SHARID, winners of the Thistledown Investments Six Bar during the Horse of the Year Show held at the NEC in Birmingham in UK between 4 -8 th October 2023 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

“He’s good at six-bars, and they do him good,” said John. “They get his focus because he can be a bit of a thug who likes to play around. As Shane said, as the fences get bigger, the distances between them get shorter, so the last two rounds I just went in slow and tried to hold him up in between, and he jumped very good.”

The cheers for both riders’ achievement were huge – but it was the response to the legendary John, who at 68 has been competing at HOYS for over half a century, that must have been heard miles away; the mighty cheer as he came in for his last round only surpassed by the explosion of applause when he cleared the final fence. The pair rode into the arena with their hands raised together, and took the trophy between them.

“He’s a superstar, a legend” said Shane. “It’s an honour to ride with him.”

John added that the atmosphere during the HOYS six-bar today was “fantastic”.

“I don’t think it’s because of what I do, I think it’s because I’ve been around so long,” he quipped.

“It’s an unbelievable reception when you go in. It can wind Sharid up a bit – but it was just enough today.”

‘The perfect old man’s horse!’ Derby winner takes HOYS speed spectacular

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 14:11:21 +0000

Shane Breen joked that Scarteen is “the perfect old man’s horse”, after the pair put in a blistering round to take the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) speed horse of the year title.

In a thriller of a competition, Shane and the 10-year-old gelding, who he owns with Marianne Schindele, held their lead from ninth draw in the 31-starter class, seeing off the challenges of speed demons such as Mark Edwards (Royale Tale), who was fast but not clear, and the mighty effort by Jodie Hall McAteer (Catoki), who finished a fraction of a second behind.

Shane bred Scarteen and five years ago sold half of him to Marianne, who produced him to 1.50m level. Then a few months ago, he bought him back, winning the derby at La Baule a few weeks later.

“He’s been wonderful,” said Shane. “He’s super consistent and really careful. He can jump grands prix, he’s incredible for these speed classes as he’s so naturally quick. I haven’t had a huge number of wins with him as there’s always someone there to beat you, and it’s always lovely to win here, it’s such a special show and a great crowd. It’s a pleasure to ride in front of such an appreciative audience.”

Shane said he did not know whether he had done enough to take the HOYS win, with the quality of the riders behind him, but Scarteen’s speed, control and rideability were enough to secure the HOYS win. The stunning, versatile little grey looks likely to succeed in whatever he turns his hoof to; the speed is effortless, the scope doubtless and the enjoyment for his job clear at all times.

“He is really special,” Shane said. “I don’t think a horse has to be just for one specific class, they should be versatile, once they know what’s expected and you’re training and building a rapport and friendship, and know their limitations.

“Scarteen is super-brave, in the derbies, and really scopey for grands prix, and as we’ve seen, he’s fast, so he’s perfect.”

Shane said the Cardento gelding does not need to do too much in the warm-up, nor at home; he does plenty of polework and goes in the field every day, and does “a lot of slow, easy work”, but he “gets himself quite fit”.

“From a preparation point of view, he’s very easy,” said Shane, adding that Scarteen will “ignite” to do his job but then stand quite happily in a prizegiving, for example.

“He’s perfect,” he said. “You don’t have to stress about riding him before a show and there’s no real riding to him, it’s just a bit of a steering job. He’s the perfect old man’s horse; I’m getting old and he’s perfect!”

Breen remains king of the Queen’s: Shane lifts Hickstead trophy for fourth time

Sarah Radford — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 17:14:28 +0000

Shane Breen not only extended his record as the most prolific winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Cup since it was opened to both genders, he also secured back-to-back wins with the same horse, cruising to victory on Old Lodge’s wonderful grey mare Haya at the Royal International Horse Show.

Shane was the first male rider to win the Queen’s Cup, following the rule change in 2008, and now, with his fourth win, is almost rivalling the record of the great Liz Edgar, who won it on five occasions when it was a women’s-only competition.

This year, Hickstead-based Breen Equestrian, which he runs with wife Chloe (nee Bunn), was also the historic class’s title sponsor.

“Next year, I’ll have to sponsor the King George as well!” Shane quipped.

Clears were slow to come round Kelvin Bywater’s 1.50m track for this prestigious national showdown — only second out Jessica Burke (Express Trend) left the fences intact out of the first 10 rounds. A further six jumped clear before the end of the class, ensuring a decent face-off against the clock.

Jessica gave an indication of the target time with her opening round, posting 38.99sec, but it cost her the first part of the double. Three clears followed, from Adrian Whiteway (Chacco Volo); Sammie-Jo Coffin (Chaccomo Blue) and Philip Miller (Don Royale), but all were in excess of 42sec, leaving the door wide open.

Hickstead maestros battle it out

Serious money would always have been riding on the last three riders to jump, who were all previous winners of this class, with a litany of Hickstead credentials: reigning Derby champion David Simpson, riding 13-year-old Flashback VL, 2022 Derby champion Shane and Harriet Biddick, who has won or come second in most of the major classes here, riding Night Of Glory OL, who like Haya is owned by Old Lodge.

David’s 13-year-old ride, who is owned by Melanie Davies, was the less experienced of the three, but put in a solid bid in 40.18sec, cutting more than 2sec from the lead.

“I said to his owner on the phone outside that he was feeling like he was getting better and better and today he put it all together, so I am very happy with him,” David said.

“I could have been a lot tighter from one to two, as Shane informed me! He’s the first one to tell me when I’ve let something slip!

“I wanted to post a double clear,” he added. “He’s not the quickest especially compared with the two behind me. I thought I might be able to put pressure on and hopefully they’d make a slip up but they both delivered.”

Shane and the lovely 11-year-old grey mare lived up to every promise with their effortlessly smooth round, axing 2.76sec to set a formidable lead.

There was still Harriet and Night Of Glory OL to come and they had arrived at Hickstead on the back of a wave of form, having headed both the area trial and the international stairway at the New Forest Show earlier in the week.

Harriet had the mare’s natural speed and the partnership’s experience to rely on, and looked like she may be able to rival Shane’s target on the final line, but they crossed the finish just over a second behind to take the runner-up spot.

“I know Shane is so fast and when I watched the others go round in excess of 40sec and Shane went round in 37.42sec I knew he’d be hard to beat,” Harriet said.

“I think there was a difference in the size of the horses — mine is smaller and quick across the ground and I added one to the second last which is maybe where I lost it.”

‘I have great respect for her’

Shane was full of praise for Haya, who has mostly been on 5* duties on the Global Champions Tour this year, but who he chose to place in the Queen’s rather than jump the day’s 5* classes.

“I thought it would be nice if she could do the double, so I thought I’d keep her for it,” Shane said. “I’m delighted she did it and delighted for Old Lodge that they have a one-two.

“It felt better winning it this year than last as it was Haya’s second time and I have great respect for her, she’s such a nice mare in every way.

“If you go in the ring and have a fence down, it’s basically you that’s knocked the fence, as she is so incredibly careful.

“She’s an incredible horse, she has such a lovely nature and is like your best friend. She’s lovely with the grooms and everyone. I’m very lucky to have her.”

‘A horse I’ll never forget’: Hickstead hero retires in emotional ceremony

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 25 Jun 2023 21:18:10 +0000

A horse Shane Breen will never forget, and who “always puts a smile on your face” has been retired in Hickstead’s International Arena, on the day of the 2023 Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby.

Shane rode his superstar stallion Golden Hawk on one last lap of honour in front of a cheering crowd, then the 18-year-old was unsaddled in the victory spot, and garlanded with flowers.

“Golden Hawk has been an amazing horse for me,” Shane said. “He’s one of those horses – you ride a lot, every day, and you can get a bit weary. But he always puts a smile on your face when you ride him.”

Golden was joint second with four faults in last year’s Derby, and jumped clear in 2019 but was denied the title by Michael Pender in the jump-off. Having joined Breen Equestrian as a six-year-old, he went on to scale the heights with Shane, winning the Hickstead Derby Trial in 2019, and the Liverpool International Horse Show grand prix in 2018. He and Shane jumped Nations Cup double clears for Ireland, and competed in the Nations Cup final in 2016.

“There’s not just one highlight [that comes to mind],” Shane said. “In this arena, he came so close to the King George, he came second in the Dublin grand prix; I can’t pick one as I’ve had so many special days. For me in my heart, he’s a special horse.”

Golden will retire to stud; Shane said Breen Equestrian has had enquiries from multiple studs but has decided to keep him, which he believes will be “a great boost for UK breeders”.

“He’s an amazing character,” Shane said. “I’d have loved to ride him today, and be in the winner’s enclosure.

“The good thing is that he’s a stallion; I see his offspring now and compete some of them, and I think they’re as talented as him. I’m going to miss him – he’s a horse I will never forget.”

The 2023 Hickstead Derby entries: meet this year’s runners and riders

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 25 Jun 2023 06:59:19 +0000

At 2.45pm on Sunday, 25 June, the world famous Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby kicks off in front of a global audience, so who are the names to look out for among this year’s Hickstead Derby entries?

From reigning champion of Hickstead, Shane Breen, to four-time winner William Funnell, a bunch of intrepid first-timers and a trio of Olympic eventers, the field of 27 entries representing four nations for the 2023 Hickstead Derby really is an eclectic cross-section of the equestrian world.

Here is your guide to the 2023 Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby entries.

HICKSTEAD DERBY ENTRIES

1. Carlos Mota Ribas and Night Secret Z (BRAZIL)

The unenviable task of pathfinder for the Al Shira’aa Derby this year falls to this Brazilian rider and the 11-year-old Non Stop stallion. However, the role couldn’t be in better hands as Carlos is a much-loved Hickstead regular, finishing equal second with four faults in the class last year. Night Secret has yet to prove himself in the main ring at Hickstead but completed the Hamburg Derby on eight faults. Never underestimate this Brazilian!

2. Henry Turrell and Rocco (GBR)

The local rider has contested the speed Derby several times but in preparation for stepping up to the big one for the first time this year, Henry and his home-bred 12-year-old Rocco (Cardento x Numero Uno) took in some classes in Hamburg last month and jumped round the Derby trial for 20 faults. What a special moment it will be to contest this world famous class for the first time on a horse he’s bred and produced himself.

3. David Simpson and Flashback VL (IRL)

This two-time Queen Elizabeth II Cup-winning rider brings two horses through for this year’s Hickstead Derby, coming out first on this relatively new ride with whom the locally based Irish team rider had 12 faults in the Derby trial at Hickstead on Friday. He has previously won a Derby trial and his best Derby finish was fourth in 2013 with the brilliant Rolo Tomasi. He has ridden round Hamburg, too, so is an expert pilot for the vast expanse of the Hickstead turf.

4. Sebastian Hughes and Colorado Volo (GBR)

One of the best stories in the class, this will be Seb’s first time riding in the Hickstead Derby and he will be on board the distinctive white-faced chestnut gelding “Chief”, who was bought as a “gangly” five-year-old with a view to selling him, but this “one man and his horse” duo have gone on to jump the dizzying heights of puissances at five-star shows, and now the legendary Derby track awaits them.

“Just to have a horse that would be able to do the Derby is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he says.

5. Stephan Dubsky and C The Stars (IRL)

This combination caught the eye when finishing fifth in the Hamburg Derby last month with just four faults. The Germany-based Irishman is a former international eventer and makes his Hickstead debut this year with this exciting nine-year-old.

6. Ryan Lockwood and Over The Top Van Den Haagakkers (GBR)

This 23-year-old rider is another British showjumper making his Hickstead debut this year and extraordinarily had only jumped one class, the area trial at Wellington last week, on Elliott Rowe’s nine-year-old before bringing him to West Sussex. The horse jumped round last year’s speed Derby with Elliott, while Ryan steered him home with eight faults in Friday’s Derby trial.

7. William Funnell and Equine America Billy Diamo (GBR)

This rider needs no introduction to Hickstead Derby followers; he’s one of an elite quintet of riders to have lifted the trophy four times and will be bidding for a record fifth victory with two ride – the first of which is his 18hh 13-year-old home-bred, who finished 11th last year.

“Last year was Equine America Billy Diamo’s first time round and it’s always good to get that first one under your belt,” says William. “Hopefully he’ll have grown from that and this year I’ve really focused on doing the right things to produce him for Sunday.“

Shane Breen and Can Ya Makan celebrating success in 2022 – they are among the Hickstead Derby entries again this year (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

8. Shane Breen and Scarteen (IRL)

Hickstead-based Irishman Shane Breen begins the defence of his title with a home-bred 10-year-old, who he sold a half-share of as a five-year-old and only bought back last month. Since taking the reins, Shane and the super grey have been placed in Hamburg and won the La Baule Derby, picking up just four faults in the Derby trial on Friday. This rising star could be a really strong prospect among this year’s Hickstead Derby entries.

“He’s very scopey and careful, so much versatility and such jump; you could put him into whatever you want,” says Shane.

9. Andre Reichmann and Ego De Toxandria Z (BRA)

Hickstead has welcomed this Brazilian rider and nine-year-old gelding for the first time this year and they adapted well to the international ring’s unique obstacles and undulations, finishing with eight faults in the Derby trial. The last Brazilian rider to win the Hickstead Derby was Nelson Pessoa in 1996.

10. Jonathan Smyth and Premier Spirit (IRL)

Fresh from a grand prix runner-up position at Bolesworth last week, this 25-year-old Irish rider warmed up for Hickstead with a puissance third on this 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding who has plenty of scope. They completed the Derby trial on 36 faults.

11. Tim Gredley and Gentlemen VH Veldhof (GBR)

British showjumping team regular Tim Gredley made a return to the Hickstead Derby in 2022 for the first time in 17 years and returns for the second year in succession with the same horse, the 17-year-old Gentlemen, who was a previous Derby ride for Michael Whitaker. The last British winner of the Hickstead Derby was in 2018, can Tim make amends?

12. Paul Sims and Dream Roller (GBR)

This former eventer has ridden round Badminton but this will be his first attempt at the Devil’s Dyke, bank and open water in Hickstead’s international arena. His 12-year-old gelding stepped up to five-star level in the UAE with Paul’s friend Joe Whitaker earlier this year but has since returned to Paul and the pair posted an impressive eight-fault round in Friday’s Derby trial

13. Carlos Mota Ribas and Juan Van’t Arkelhof (BRA)

The Brazilian is back with his second ride, a 14-year-old gelding who is making his Derby debut but who looked right at home in the Derby trial, picking up just four faults.

14. Dermott Lennon and Gelvins Touch (IRL)

Another notable Irish rider bidding to lift the Boomerang trophy this year is 2022 world champion Dermott, who has had several runner-up places in the Derby without lifting the silverware. The 17-year-old Gelvins Touch (Touchdown x Diamond Lad) hasn’t jumped internationally since last year’s Hickstead Derby where the pair just had four faults at the rails at the bottom of the bank to finish equal second. It would be a lovely story if this veteran could take top honours this year.

15. Trevor Breen and Gonzalo (IRL)

Trevor is the younger brother of Shane Breen and, two days after representing Ireland in the Nations Cup in Rotterdam, Trevor has qualified this 12-year-old former eventer, with whom he finished fourth in the King George V Gold Cup at the Royal International last year, for Sunday’s Al Shira’aa Derby.

“He’s such a lovely horse, he’s beautiful to ride and he has a huge heart and fights for you, so he makes my life a bit easier,” says Trevor.

If anyone can give Shane a good run for his money, it’s most certainly brother Trevor, who has won the Hickstead Derby twice, in 2014 and 2015.

16. William Whitaker and Flamboyant III (GBR)

Another former winner, with Glenavadra Brilliant in 2016, and one of two Whitakers in the field. Flamboyant III, a 13-year-old Cardento gelding, was a catch ride for William in last year’s Hickstead Derby when owner Elliott Smith broke his leg and the pair have been jumping at the top level since. They jumped an eye-catching four-fault round in Friday’s Derby trial and look bang on target for their second Derby tilt.

17. Daniel McAlinden and Keatingstown Z Wellie Two (IRL)

24-year-old Hickstead Derby debutant Daniel only took the reins on 12-year-old Wellie last month so there are plenty of unknowns. Ger O’Neill rode the gelding in the 2019 Derby but they failed to complete. However, a third place finish in Friday’s Derby trial for Daniel and the Irish-bred does show promise ahead of Sunday.

18. Sammie Jo Coffin and Chaccomo Blue (GBR)

The Cornwall showjumper has enjoyed plenty of success in the Hickstead international arena but brings this 13-year-old gelding for the first time, fresh from a string of good placings on the county circuit. This big-jumping gelding relished the challenge of the Derby trial, just picking up eight faults.

19. Kai Ruder and Cross Keys (GER)

This top German rider may be better known for his eventing successes but in recent years he’s been seen in the showjumping ring and has jumped the Hamburg Derby a handful of times. He makes the journey to Hickstead for the first time this year, bringing his long-time partner, the 18-year-old Cross Keys, a German-bred son of Casall.

20. Gemma Stevens and Envoy Merelsnest Z GBR)

A British eventer this time, Olympian and world championship gold medallist Gemma Stevens (nee Tattersall) no less, who has been combining eventing and showjumping in recent years and was offered the ride on the Brendon Stud’s stallion Envoy Merelsnest Z, or “Dime Bar” as he is known at home, for her debut in this year’s Hickstead Derby.

“I’m not expecting to be troubling the leaders at this stage, but just the fact I’m giving it a go and on a horse I’ve not ridden that much… Why not?” says Gemma.

21. Robert Whitaker and Evert (GBR) **WITHDRAWN**

Could Robert be the 10th Whitaker to win the Hickstead Derby? He and his cousin William are representing the famous showjumping dynasty this year and Robert brings Caroline Blatchford’s 14-year-old Evert, a recent winner in Italy and a horse with an exceptional record in the international ring at Hickstead, as well as in Hamburg with his previous rider Karel Cox. Their fantastic clear round in Friday’s Derby trial put them right up among the favourites for this year’s class.

22. Jordan Coyle and Eristov (IRL)

US-based Irishman Jordan brought the 14-year-old Eristov over for last year’s Derby, where they finished with 12 faults – his first visit to Hickstead since his debut in 2013. Irish riders have won five of the past nine runnings of the Hickstead Derby.

23. Shane Breen and Can Ya Makan (IRL)

The reigning Hickstead Derby champions, who won last year with the sole clear round, are bidding to become the first combination to win back-to-back since William Funnell and Cortaflex Mondriaan in 2008 and 2009. Can Ya Makan is now 17 and Shane has produced him carefully for this day and will go in as red hot favourites.

24. William Funnell and Dublon (GBR)

Four-time winner William Funnell’s second ride Dublon is another lofty chestnut, who he only started riding last month after Barbara Hester’s gelding left Joe Stockdale’s stable. It would be remarkable if this pair won at their first show together.

“With my history in the class it would be lovely to get the fifth one,” says William.

25. David Simpson and Pjotr Van De Kruishoeve (IRL)

The Irishman returns with his second ride, the youngest horse in the class, eight-year-old Pjotr. This low mileage Belgium-bred stallion has been stepping up impressively in recent months and jumped a classy eight-fault round in the Derby trial.

26. Carlos Mota Ribas and Trix (BRA)

This nine-year-old gelding was bred by John Whitaker, ridden by Robert Whitaker and then sold to the Brazilian showjumper two years ago – they were second in last year’s speed Derby then the duo tied for first with former rider Robert (on Evert) as the only two clears in Friday’s Derby trial. Definitely one for the short list.

27. Sandra Auffarth and Nupafeed’s La Vista (GER)The legendary German Olympic eventer has the honour of being the last into the ring for her debut at Hickstead. She and the 14-year-old mare have finished top-three in the Hamburg Derby and appeared to adapt quickly to the Hickstead fences in Friday’s Derby trial. Can Sandra add the Boomerang trophy to her glittering array of silverware, which includes Olympic and world championship eventing gold medlas? It would certainly be an incredible story if she did – and that’s what the Hickstead Derby is all about.

The Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby is at 2.45pm on Sunday 25 June. Horse & Hound will be bringing you all the stories online as they happen and in next week’s magazine, in the shops Thursday 29 June.

Funnell v Funnell and Breen: husband and wife battle it out for Hickstead honours

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 14:39:06 +0000

There was a thrilling three-way battle for the Breen Equestrian Beethoven seven- and eight-year-old championship at the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby meeting today (23 June) between three of the best young horse producers in the country.

Lining up for the title were Pippa Funnell on the seven-year-old mare Billy Mufasa, her husband William Funnell riding the year older Billy Etna, while Hickstead-based Shane Breen represented the sponsors with the eight-year-old Instrumental V, a really exciting trio of mares.

Pippa and Lizzie Bunn’s Bily Mufasa scooted home in 34.78sec but just toppled a tricky vertical off a sharp bend.

The fences went up for the two older horses and Shane delivered a smart clear with his mare, setting the target of 33.16sec.

William then set off determinedly and he and the lovely grey were up on the clock, but the first part of the double fell for four faults, although his time of 30.04sec would have been enough to win. So Shane took top honours and William just earned some bragging rights over Pippa as the husband and wife team finished second and third.

“Mufasa is one Lizzie Bunn bought in the auction so it would have been lovely if she’d won – if Pippa had been in the lead I wouldn’t have tried to beat her, put it that way!” said William. “Billy Etna is one we’ve all ridden a bit and she’s been to the [young horse] world championships the last two years. I’ve ridden her this year and she’s been so consistent – that’s the first fence she’s had down. She’s nearly ready to step up and back up the others. It’s still nice to have two out of the top three from some really nice horses here.

“I was surprised there weren’t’ more clears but a lot of horses probably haven’t got to jump on grass until this week because there are so few grass rings nowadays.”

The super winning eight-year-old Instrumental V was bred in Germany and produced by Peder Fredricson till Shane took the reins at the start of the year year, winning a CSI2* grand prix in the UAE.

“I saw her last year at a few shows and thought she was a very good jumper then Peder said he was for sale,” said Shane. “Chloe and I bought her at the beginning of the year. We wanted to get her in the main ring this week then aim for the Queen’s Cup in July. She’s a hell of a jumper, she’s a lot of power in her gallop. She’s not overly big but she has a huge stride. I still have a bit of work to do with her, but she has all the ingredients.

“I hadn’t seen Pip but I knew she’d had one down so I thought to jump a clear anyway. With William coming behind me, he was definitely going to come up in time to watch me. So it was up to him to beat me and he could have, he just nicked the fence. That’s just the way it goes. But it’s nice to get back some of my money!”

‘Heart of a lion, mind of a professor’: brilliant mare hits the big time

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 16:02:56 +0000

When Shane Breen won last year’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup at the Royal International with the stunning grey mare Haya, we were instantly smitten. But now she’s proved she’s competitive at the highest level, finishing second in her five-star grand prix debut – to the mighty combination of Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward, no less.

Closer to home, there was an emotional victory for Billy Twomey and the “freakishly” talented stallion Chat Botte ED, who was owned by the late Sue Davis, in the CSI3* grand prix at Bolesworth International. Read on for all this week’s international showjumping news and results.

‘It took the best combination in the world to beat us!’

The €480,000 Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix of Stockholm was won by home hero Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward, but chasing them home just 0.06sec slower was Shane Breen riding his 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Haya, who was making her five-star grand prix debut. Marcus Ehning and Stargold finished third.

Shane described the stunning grey mare as having “The heart of a lion, the mind of a professor”.

“I’ve been riding her a lot in speed classes, so I knew she was pretty quick,” said Shane. “But I thought to get on the podium would be amazing, to win would just be another dream. To come second, I am absolutely over the moon.

“It took the best combination in the world to beat us!”

Scott Brash and Hello Mr President also secured a win at the five-star show.

LGCT Stockholm results

British victory at Spruce Meadows

Team GB rider Amanda Derbyshire landed the 1.50m RBC Capital Markets Cup 1.50m class at Spruce Meadows riding the stallion Otto BG.

“It’s a whole different ball game out there in the international ring,” said Amanda. “It very much reminds me of Aachen and Hickstead – big famous rings – and it’s very special to ride in them.”

Second-placed Conor Swail also secured a 1.45m win of his own with Gamble, who has a 42% top-10 strike rate in 1.40m-plus classes, while his countryman Darragh Kenny braved the rain to win with Chic Chic, as well as the CSI2* grand prix on Vancouver Dreams.

“It was a great day, I haven’t been to Spruce Meadows in probably four or five years and it’s a fantastic facility,” said Darragh. “The rainy weather didn’t bother me.”

Spruce Meadows results

Nations Cup thriller

The defending champions in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup series, Belgium, won in Sopot, Poland, just beating first-round leaders Argentina, who are bidding for Olympic qualification, by one point. Germany and Switzerland finished third and fourth, separated only by time.

“The most nervous of all today was me,” said chef d’equipe Peter Weinburg. “They kept their nerve and produced brilliant round after another and that’s how we won.”

Sopot results

Showjumping news: ‘Luck was on my side’

Shane Sweetnam won the $100,000 CSI3* 1.50m Lugano Diamonds grand prix on the Split Rock Jumping Tour with the fastest of only two double clears round Alan Wade’s track with new ride Gilona AO.

“Today, luck was on my side, so I knew what I had to do and I was able to execute it,” said Shane.

A poignant Bolesworth victory

Ireland’s Billy Twomey won the CSI3* Cavago grand prix at the Bolesworth International with the “freakishly” talented 15-year-old stallion Chat Botte ED, owned by the late Sue Davies.

“He is an outstanding jumper who’s always been freakish over a fence,” said Billy of his breeding stallion, who finished ahead of countryman Jonathan Smyth on Mulvin Lui, with Guy Williams third on Ernie Of Greenhill Z for Great Britain.

“It’s an emotional win. Bolesworth is only 20 minutes from Pewit Hall, where Sue used to live. I sometimes pick up my phone and have to stop myself from trying to call her, as I always called her after a win. She was a huge supporter of mine for 22 years, which is almost unheard of in our sport.”

Bolesworth results

You can read all the showjumping news, including the full report from Bolesworth International, in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, in the shops Thursday 22 June.

Super Derby win on horse rider bred, sold and bought back again

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 15:46:24 +0000

Shane Breen was delighted to win the La Baule Derby on a horse he bred, sold and bought back again.

Shane and 10-year-old Scarteen jumped clear to take the title on Saturday (10 June), a second and a half ahead of Frenchman Julien Gonin on Caprice de Guinfard.

Shane bred the Cardento gelding, then sold half of him as a five-year-old, to Marianne Schindele of Austria. She produced him up to 1.50m level – then Shane bought his half back three weeks ago.

“I took him to Hamburg a week later and he was second in one Derby qualifier and third in the other,” Shane told H&H. “Then we went to Wiesbaden, and he was clear in two classes there, then to La Baule and he was clear the first day, then won the Derby. I think he’s going to be a really super horse.”

Shane said he had not initially thought Scarteen would be a Derby horse, but the horse is proving his versatility.

“He’s very scopey and careful, so much versatility and such jump; you could put him into whatever you want,” he said. “I’ll do a bit more with him, get him a bit more familiar with walking down banks, and possibly put him in for the Hickstead Derby too.”

Shane and 17-year-old Can Ya Makan will defend their Hickstead title on 25 June, which will be the 17-year-old stallion’s fourth trip round the famous course.

“He knows it so I imagine with a bit of luck he could possibly jump clear again,” Shane said. “It would be Scarteen’s first time but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he jumped round and was clear.”

‘Such bad timing’: 19-year-old Hickstead Derby hero ruled out for 2023

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 17:00:53 +0000

The brilliant 19-year-old gelding A Touch Imperious, who has finished second in the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby an incredible five times, has been ruled out of this year’s competition with a minor “ongoing injury”.

His rider Harriet Biddick told H&H that it was “nothing major” and just “bad timing”. However, there are high hopes that he’ll be back to contest the Hickstead Derby again next year, when the gallant veteran will be 20 years old.

“It’s just an ongoing injury and it’s nothing major – but he needs to rest for three weeks which means I can’t do the work and the fitness needed for Hickstead, so it’s just bad timing, but it means that, sadly, he’s not going,” said Harriet, who just missed out again last year when a heel in the water prevented her and “Henry” from joining victor Shane Breen in a jump-off.

But, emphasised Harriet of her “horse of a lifetime”, “There’s no plan of retirement!”

The team are really positive and “pushing for next year”.

“We’ll see how he comes back from this,” explained Harriet, who won’t therefore have a ride in this year’s Derby, which takes place on Sunday 25 June.

“Another horse wasn’t really in the pipeline as it was all about A Touch Imperious, so I’d love to do it on something else at some point, but not this year.”

Going for a Hickstead record

Former national champion Harriet is instead focusing on bidding for a record fourth Hickstead speed Derby victory for another senior equine, the 18-year-old Silver Lift.

“All’s good with him – he had a win at Bath & West on the grass there last week and he was second in another class, so he feels good, all positive and ready to go with him this year,” she said.

“With him automatically qualifying because we won the speed Derby last year, that record to become the first horse to be a four-time winner is really my goal.

“Silver Lift and A Touch Imperious love an atmosphere and they have a reason to be there – it’s just something they enjoy now. It gives them a real buzz,” explained Harriet, who also has another of her great partners, Galway Bay Jed, back in action after a potentially career-ending injury 18 months ago.

Another veteran ruled out of this year’s Hickstead Derby

Harriet shared second in last year’s Hickstead Derby with Shane Breen on his second ride Golden Hawk and the now 19-year-old stallion will also be absent from this year’s competition.

“The plan was to try to get to some shows with him, but he’s been so busy with breeding that it hasn’t worked into the system for his fitness work and to have him ready for Derby day,” Shane told H&H. “He’s producing so well as a breeding stallion, so I decided I’d rather get more of his progeny on the ground, than get him ready for just one day. When I have Can Ya Makan, too, it’s great.

“It’s unfortunate because I think it’s well within Golden Hawk’s capabilities and he should have won a King George and a Derby already, but that’s just the way it goes. He’s a wonderful horse, he’s 18 this year, and it’s hard for them to do everything.”

As well as the 17-year-old Can Ya Makan, Shane will instead also ride his 10-year-old home-bred Scarteen in this year’s Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby, who has recently been bought back for his stable.

Chestnut mare bucks her way to Derby victory and Ben Maher just beaten by his equine namesake

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 22 May 2023 14:03:24 +0000

With excitement building towards this year’s Hickstead Derby (25 June), all eyes turned to Hamburg at the weekend (17-21 May) for the German equivalent, where a 21-year-old rider wowed with a winning speed Derby-Derby double.

Ben Maher also continued his successful return to top flight sport and this time it was his top mare Dallas Vegas Batilly’s turn to shine. Meanwhile, closer to home, Trevor Breen lifted grand prix silverware. Here is your weekly round-up of international showjumping news and results.

Chestnut mare bucks her way to Derby victory

The quirky 14-year-old Balou’s Erbin jumped the sole double clear under 21-year-old German rider Marvin Jüngel, to win the Hamburg Derby and complete an impressive double for the rider, who also won Saturday’s speed Derby on the nine-year-old Koradina R. His Derby victory came after a two-way jump-off against Denmark’s Caroline Rehoff Pedersen, also 21, riding Calvin 115, who just added a time-fault to a steady jumping clear.

The tail-swishing chestnut mare Balou’s Erbin pinned back her ears for much of the two rounds, kicking up her heels between jumps, but she has an exceptional partnership with her young rider and the pair soared over the Derby fences, including the bank, a double of Irish banks and a vast open water, much to the huge delight of Marvin, who is ranked 1,216th in the world.

“I’m lost for words,” said Marvin, whose mother Sonja owns his winning mare. “It’s her birthday tomorrow so that’s a very good present and we can celebrate well tomorrow.”

The reigning Hickstead Derby victors Shane Breen and Can Ya Makan were jumping superbly until they came unstuck at the double of single poles and elected to retire, but the Irishman enjoyed a string of excellent five-star placings at the show.

Finishing third in the speed Derby was British showjumper Henry Turrell riding Rocco.

Hamburg Derby results

Ben Maher is beaten by his equine namesake

The reigning Olympic champion Ben Maher has made a remarkable return from a serious shoulder injury to the top tier of the sport and, after his brilliant second-place finish with Explosion W in the Rolex grand prix at Royal Windsor last week, it was top new mare Dallas Vegas Batilly’s turn to shine in Hamburg’s Longines grand prix, where they finished second to home hero Gerrit Nieberg and another powerhouse, the big-striding gelding Ben 431.

“I had a good feeling in the first round, so I knew I could take a risk in the jump-off,” said Gerrit, who topped a 12-strong jump-off to claim the €75,000 (£65,200) top prize.

In a successful day for the Maher family, Ben’s wife Sophie had earlier headed a two-phase with her great partner, the 14-year-old Sentimiento LS La Silla.

Third place in Saturday’s grand prix went to a flying performance from Ireland’s Michael Duffy at only his third show on Che Fantastica, who was previously ridden by Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt and bought from Ludger Beerbaum by Hibernia Horses with breeding as the long-term goal.

The other British contenders – Joe Stockdale (Equine America Bingo Du Chateau) and Harry Charles (Romeo 88) – just picked up four faults each in round one.

Longines grand prix results

‘Class act’ thrills on British soil

There was more international showjumping news to come from closer to home. A huge field of 57 came forward for the CSI2* grand prix at Wellington, Hampshire, where Ireland’s Trevor Breen triumphed on 12-year-old “class act” Gonzalo.

“I’m delighted with his performance and grateful for all our support team who make this possible,” he said.

He beat Scott Brash (Hello Vittoria) into the runner-up spot, with Joe Clayton third on Belinda.

CSI2* Wellington grand prix results

You can read more showjumping news, including the full report from Hamburg and CSI2* Wellington in next week’s issue of Horse & Hound.

Teenager bids to become third generation to claim Royal International win in Hickstead’s main arena: ‘It would be fun to keep it going’

Sarah Radford — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 17:30:42 +0000

Young showjumper Darcy Breen picked up her first ticket for the Royal International Horse Show when she headed Saturday’s (4 March) winter JC/JD qualifier at Arena UK, Lincs, with eight-year-old mare Pixie, who she has been riding for just two months.

The 13-year-old rider’s win paved the way for her to continue her family’s legacy: Hickstead was founded by her grandfather Douglas Bunn and both her mother Chloe Breen (née Bunn) and father Shane Breen have won major classes in the international arena.

“I’d been trying for ages to qualify with my 138cm, but we never made it,” said Darcy, who has now passed her 138cm ride on to her brother.

“Because both my parents have won there, I’d really like to win as well; it would be fun to keep it going.”

Darcy faced an anxious wait after being drawn second of six in the jump-off, but held on to her lead by a huge 5.59sec. Acacia Dew (Crack De Jaurand) delivered the only other treble clear for second place.

“When I was jumping the qualifier, I didn’t actually realise it was the qualifier, I thought it was another class. My mum thought she’d told me, but she hadn’t! She called me when I went clear in the first round to let me know,” Darcy said.

“When it came to the third round, I just trusted Pixie as she’d gone clear in the other two.”

Pixie was spotted in Ireland by Michel Drea; he showed her to Shane, who liked her.

“We got her two months ago – she went to get measured and this was our first show back, so it was good to win it,” Darcy said. “She’s a really easy pony to ride.”

Darcy hopes to take Pixie up through the grades and is also campaigning another mare, Kunis, this year in children-on-horses classes.

“It’s my first year of doing children-on-horses and I’d like to aim for the European team with her,” added Darcy, whose next major outing will be at Sentower Park in Belgium at the end of the month.

You can read the full report from Arena UK, as well as a full round-up of this week’s showjumping action in next week’s magazine, in the shops Thursday 16 March.

Mare bought untried proves unbeatable, Olympic veteran wins first five-star grand prix and a teenage rider beats top eventer

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 17:43:00 +0000

An amazing assortment of exceptional showjumping horses took starring roles this week as we enjoyed five-star competitions from Qatar to USA to Sweden.

We’ve always loved Marcus Ehning’s exceptional stallion Stargold, with his charismatic flick of the heels, and he once again proved unbeatable in Saturday’s feature class in Doha, while Laura Kraut’s outstanding championship horse Baloutinue somewhat surprisingly won his first five-star grand prix at the age of 13. A gelding who is blind in one eye proved that having limited vision is no barrier to success and a British teenager had the honour of beating an Olympic eventer in an international grand prix, as we bring you this round-up of this week’s international showjumping news and results.

‘A dream come true’: Kraut’s Olympic hero wins his first five-star grand prix, aged 13

The $425,000 CSI5* Lugano Diamonds grand prix during week seven of WEF at Wellington International was won by US rider Laura Kraut with her Tokyo Olympic team silver medal-winning partner Baloutinue. Somewhat surprisingly, this was the consistent 13-year-old gelding’s first five-star grand prix victory.

The pair had penultimate draw in a seven-way jump-off and survived a sharp challenge from final rider and her US team-mate Mclain Ward (Contagious), who finished 0.3sec slower, with Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam third riding the 10-year-old Irish-bred gelding James Kann Cruz (Kannan x Cruising).

“I had a good feeling when I walked the course,” said Laura. “My horse had jumped very well on Thursday, so this is just a dream come true.

“I took a real shot at the double – I came in there a little more forward than I’d have liked to! But he tried so hard coming out,” said Laura of the galloping jump-off track, describing Baloutinue’s (pictured below) flying leap over the final oxer as a “heroic effort”.

Laura Kraut and Baloutinue winning their first CSI5* grand prix (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“I’m just so excited by Baloutinue, he’s been so great for so long – I haven’t had the opportunity to jump very many jump-offs with him but I felt like tonight he was right there for all of it,” added Laura of the Balou Du Rouet x Landor S gelding owned by St. Bride’s Farm. “I always try to go faster than I probably should, but he’s fast enough on his own, and tonight I just let him go his speed and that seemed to work better. He’s a trier, he’s elastic and he’s very careful.

“It was a fantastic crowd; the atmosphere here at night is as good as it gets,” added Laura. “We feel like the crowd is really behind us; when I was clear it was an explosion.”

Baloutinue’s groom Margo Thomas was also awarded with a $500 award presented by Double H Farm.

WEF results

Marcus Ehning on Stargold in flying form (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Ehning goes for gold

Germany’s Marcus Ehning and the charismatic Stargold (pictured above) produced a scintillating triple clear on a warm night in the Qatar desert to become the first back-to-back winners of the CSI5* 1.60m grand prix at Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab, Doha.

“He felt so fresh and enjoys the heat here, so I had a good feeling,” said Marcus after the stallion threw in some trademark bucks en route to victory. “He’s a stallion with a lot of character and I try to let him stay that way.”

Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab results

‘She has a heart as big as a lion’

Shane Breen posted a win for Ireland in Thursday’s 1.45m two-phase in Doha, Qatar, with his gallant mare Haya, whose gritty style makes her deceptively quick, scoring by 0.28sec over Kevin Staut (Dialou Blue PS). Shane first spotted the grey at a show in France, when his brother Trevor had tipped him off.

“She struck me as really smart, with laser-vision to her jumps and was super careful,” said Shane, who won last year’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Hickstead with the mare. “So I slept on it but when I went to ask her rider Harold Megahey if I could try her, she’d already gone home. So I bought her without trying her! She has a heart as big as a lion.”

Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab results

Teenager beats Olympic eventer

Great Britain’s 18-year-old Olivia Banks recorded the novel achievement of beating New Zealand Olympic eventer Tim Price on his Boekelo winner Happy Boy, to land the CSI* grand prix on the Andalucia Sunshine Tour riding Geodina HS. Swiss showjumper Steve Guerdat claimed the CSI4* 1.55m Equine America grand prix at the venue riding the 10-year-old mare Dynamix De Belheme, whom he thinks is “the best horse I’ve ever had”. The pair soared home half a second faster than team-mate Martin Fuchs riding Commissar Pezi after a 12-way jump-off. Nicole Lockhead-Anderson and Emerald Irish Cruise were among the other British riders on form this week.

Andalucia Sunshine Tour results

Rider cancels his plane to enjoy his World Cup celebrations

The final leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Western European League in Gothenburg, Sweden, was won by French rider Marc Dilasser riding the 13-year-old gelding Arioto Du Gevres. For the top 18 riders, all roads now lead to Omaha, USA, in April for the World Cup Final, and this includes Great Britain’s Harry Charles and Scott Brash.

Marc Dilasser winning the last World Cup qualifier in Gothenburg, Sweden (Image credit: Kim C Lundin; KimC.nu by Ateni AB)

“This is my first ever World Cup win,” said Marc, who was drawn first in the jump-off. “Arioto was not always an easy horse – when he was young, he was difficult to ride, but he has always been a fighter!

“This has been a fantastic day for me and my owners. I had a plane to catch this evening but instead we cancelled that and we will stay one more night and break out the champagne here in Gothenburg – it’s important to celebrate the big moments!”

CSI5*-W Gothenburg results

Horse with limited vision wins $100,000 grand prix

Brazilian showjumper Santiago Lambre won the $100,000 Hampton Green Farms grand prix at the World Equestrian Centre, Ocala, Florida with the 16-year-old gelding Chacco Blue II, who is blind in one eye.

Santiago Lambre and Chacco Blue II, who is blind in one eye (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Irish course builder Colm Quinn set the track and Santiago describes his Chacco Blue son as a “slow mover” but with “a mile long” stride and the pair executed some terrific turns to win.

“Tonight, he showed his speed,” he said. “I tried to gallop everywhere I could and be tight back to the second to last vertical. Luckily for us, both tight turns were on his good side, and not blind side. If it were on his blind eye side I would’ve had to give him a touch more room, but this course was perfect for him.”

A hat-trick of blue ribbons for Olli Fletcher

Great Britain’s Olli Fletcher finished runner-up in the Villamoura Atlantic Tour grand prix for the third time, this time riding the 12-year-old Garande. His previous two close finishes came with Hello William. This time he missed out to Dutch victor Niels Kersten riding Tippy Z. Guy Williams and Crispina Z, and Adrian Speight on Millfield Baloney won a rankings class and James Smith, Laura Mantel and Chloe Aston were just some of the riders flying the British flag in impressive style.

Villamoura Atlantic Tour results

‘Super sassy’ mare puts a ‘massive smile’ on her rider’s face and a home-bred stallion is on a winning streak

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 13:48:11 +0000

We enjoyed a bumper week of international action this week with top class action continuing in the UAE, the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Florida and the tours in Portugal and Spain just some of the highlights.

This week we celebrate a multi-winning home-bred stallion, a new mare that has put “a massive smile” on Shane Breen’s face and what it means to hear your national anthem ring out, in our weekly round-up of this week’s international showjumping news.

‘Super smart, super kind and super sassy’

Irish showjumper Shane Breen landed the CSI2* grand prix in Sharjah, UAE, with a very exciting new eight-year-old, Instrumental (Qualdandro x Indoctro). Hickstead-based Shane and Chloe Breen bought the eye-catching bay mare from Lisa and Peder Fredricson just before Christmas. Shane made his competition debut with her in the UAE last month, since when they have been turning out some star performances.

“She’s been lovely,” Shane told H&H. “We started with 1.30m and 1.40m classes the first week, then I hadn’t planned to do a grand prix with her so soon, but she was double clear and fifth in the grand prix last week. Then this week she jumped clear in the first round and I looked at the jump-off course and thought I’d just do what she felt comfortable with and she was fantastic.

“It was just one of those rounds when you’re completely and utterly in your comfort zone, it was a fantastic feeling. She did all the lines on one stride less and the turn to the oxer beautifully. When she jumped out of the double, it gave me such a good feeling that you nearly forget what you’re doing, I had such a big smile on my face.”

As well as being careful and scopey, Shane describes Instrumental as “super smart, super kind and super sassy – the perfect mix”.

“It’s very exciting,” said Shane, who hopes to take some embryos from the mare. “I have to restrain myself a bit because she is only eight, but we’ll see where we end up.”

Shane has also been in the money on his Hickstead Derby hero, Can Ya Makan, “who is getting better with age – he looks incredible,” said Shane as he builds up the 17-year-old for a tilt at this year’s Hamburg and Hickstead derbies, and the 15-year-old Z7 Ipswich, “who is always flying the flag”.

Shane’s brother Trevor Breen finished third in Sunday’s five-star grand prix riding Mandy Hall’s 12-year-old Germaine W. The winner was Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano riding the great Chalou.

The Irish flag also flew for double five-star winner Jessica Burke, who landed Sunday’s winning round with a flying performance on Express Trend, who she said was “believing even more than I was”, having also lifted the week’s opening two-phase ranking class with Inpulss, “the horse that keeps on giving and keeps me smiling.”

Sharjah results

Nine wins and counting from home-bred stallion

Maisy Williams and her family’s seven-year-old home-bred Gold Rush, who is by her father Guy Williams’ brilliant partner Gold Digger, have been making a real name for themselves on the Vilamoura Atlantic Tour, racking up an astounding winning streak in the young horse classes. The pair again won this week’s seven-year-old grand prix in impressive style.

“He’s won loads of classes now – he’s jumped 12, won nine and been placed in another,” Maisy told H&H. “He’s always won a bit, but recently he’s improved – he had a rest and has come back better than ever.”

Maisy began riding Gold Rush as a four-year-old and qualified for last year’s World Breeding Championship for Young Horses at Lanaken.

“Every time he goes in the ring, he tries his hardest,” added Maisy, 16, who hopes to contest newcomers second rounds with the seven-year-old later in the year. “He’s won all the seven-year-old grands prix so far. The courses are big enough and they build them well to get them started for the rest of the season.”

Villamoura Atlantic Tour results

First time lucky for Darragh Kenny amid Irish celebrations in Florida

During week six of WEF in Florida, Ireland’s Darragh Kenny won the CSI3* 1.50m classic riding new partner Vancouver Dreams (main image above) after a 15-horse jump-off. The 13-year-old mare (Valentino 240 x Stakkato) was previously a five-star contender for Austrian showjumper Max Kühner.

“I’ve actually never done a jump-off on her before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect,” said Darragh, who is riding the mare to sell but “having some fun with her first”.

“She’s unbelievably careful so I knew I could take a bit of a risk at the double and I did and it paid off and she was brilliant.”

Darragh’s pupil Francis Derwin landed the Hermès U25 welcome class riding AHG Whiterock Cruise Down (Cruisings Micky Finn x Touchdown), who he’s been riding for the past three years, having taken the reins from his sister.

“I think he is very good at being fast without me having to try to be fast,” said Francis, competing in his second year at WEF after earning a bursary to ride under the tutelage of Darragh. “He’s been giving me some great help and I’ve been getting in the ring on plenty of horses, so it’s been a good opportunity to keep learning.

“I wasn’t really planning on trying to win but when I went in, he jumped one, two and three very good, so I thought I’d have a bit of a go when he was jumping well,” said Francis, who also won the Champion Equine Insurance jumper style award for the performance.

Another young Irish rider, Tom Wachman won Sunday’s Hermes under-25 grand prix riding I’m Here, just pipping US-based British showjumper Grace Debney on a new ride, the nine-year-old Jesprit HS, into the runner-up spot.

The Irish national anthem rang out once more in the CSI3* grand prix, when Bertram Allen racked up another victory with the brilliant Emmylou.

WEF results

Hickstead Derby victor makes winning return and London Horse Show heroes strike again

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 13:34:05 +0000

Equine golden oldies, including the 17-year-old Hickstead Derby winner Can Ya Makan, were making headlines from as far afield as Florida to the UAE and Spain as teenage horses captured grands prix, with US rider Mclain Ward stating his horses’ longevity was a “great testament” to his team.

Here, we celebrate these achievements and the rest of the past week’s international winners and showjumping news.

Ebolensky and Sampson top Spanish grand prix

Competing in her first grand prix since winning the final day’s feature class at the London International, Ebolensky proved she’s back to her brilliant best when winning the CSI4* Andalucia Sunshine Tour Horseware Big Tour 1.55m grand prix with the fastest of only two double clears (pictured top).

Matt and the Evison family’s 14-year-old Clinton mare stopped the clock in 39.68sec, beating Germany’s Kendra Brinkop (In Time) in a nine-way jump-off where their rivals all faulted. Scott Brash and new ride Hello Valentino finished runners-up in the medium tour equivalent in Vejer De La Frontera.

Andalucia Sunshine Tour results

‘He’s taken me to the Olympics and World Championships’

Bertram Allen and the brilliant 11-year-old Pacino Amiro (pictured below) landed Thursday’s five-star jump-off class at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Florida. From a starting field of 54, the Irishman won over tracks set by Frank Rothenburger, where a tight time allowed in round one caught out several combinations.

“I knew going in that I had to have a good round, but I didn’t want to overdo it today with the grand prix coming up on Saturday,” explained Bertram, who beat his countryman Conor Swail (Count Me In) into the runner-up spot with Laura Kraut third on Baloutinue. “My plan was to be quick early on because I knew if I caught the first two fences well that my horse is as quick as any other.

“He has really been a fantastic horse for me; he is only 11, but he’s already been to the Olympics, the World [Championships] and won a five-star grand prix here.”

WEF results

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Simpson’s speedy success and the winning return of Can Ya Makan

England-based Irish showjumper David Simpson landed the CSI2* Longines Sharjah grand prix in the UAE riding the exciting eight-year-old Pjotr Van De Kruishoeve. Shane Breen was also a winner earlier in the week riding his Hickstead Derby hero Can Ya Makan.

CSI2* Sharjah results

‘Their health is a great testament to my team’

US rider Mclain Ward landed a big class double at WEF with a pair of teenage horses, crediting the longevity of his top-flight string to his team’s careful management. His first victory came in Saturday night’s grand prix riding the 15-year-old Callas, the mare’s first success at this level. He beat Ireland’s Darragh Kenny (Volnay Du Boisdeville) into second with Kent Farrington third on Landon, who he considers to have a very bright future.

“She’s been knocking on the door, so it’s nice for us to break through and get a big win,” said Mclain. “The jump-off was built for us. She cuts a little left, so at fence one to two I could take a straight line. I needed the Hermès [oxer] to show up well off that rollback. Everybody had to make a sharp turn and it was a bit awkward, but I got away with that one.”

Mclain followed up the following day in the 1.50m classic riding the 13-year-old mare Alanine De Vains, becoming the first rider since 2014 to do the big class double.

“She should have won the class earlier in the week, but I made a mistake,” said Mclain, competing in just his second class with the mare. “She’s very careful and very fast, so that plays into my hand with a jump-off like this.”

Crediting his team, Mclain added: “We’ve worked really hard to build a great string of horses and to maintain them so that they last a long time. My top horses are 17 years old, 15 and 14 – they are experienced, which gives you such an advantage, and their health is a great testament to my team. We have great owners that allow us to show these horses the right amount and not put too much pressure on them.”

WEF results

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Irish victory in Belgium

Irish rider Jason Foley won the CSI2* grand prix at the Flanders Horse Xpo riding the nine-year-old mare Rockwell RC. From nearly 60 starters, 10 came forward for the jump-off. Best of the Brits was Robert Whitaker and Vermento, who just picked up four faults in round one.

Flanders results

Trevor Breen leaves rivals – including his brother — floundering in his wake at London Horse Show

Polly Bryan — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 19:42:43 +0000

Planning to take a stride out to the last paid off for Ireland’s Trevor Breen, as he delivered a superb win in the Christmas Pudding Speed Stakes at the London International Horse Show. Riding the eight-year-old mare Jicarla T (Caretino Gold x Numero Uno), Trevor came home in 52.1sec, 0.64sec clear of Britain’s John Whitaker and Green Grass, by Luidam.

“I think where I won it was I went six strides to the last, instead of seven; I probably did the same as everyone else everywhere else,” said Trevor. “She has a huge stride, for a small mare, so I thought I could go six there and I got it easy, and that was the difference.

“I’ve had her two years now and she’s naturally very fast, so you don’t really have to think about being quick,” he added of the mare who is owned by Harry Whall. “I just tried to do a really right, smooth round and not leave strides anywhere, and and every question I asked she answered. She jumped amazing, I’m so chuffed with her.”

One of the most serious challengers was the last in, Trevor’s brother Shane Breen, riding the 10-year-old grey mare Haya. Shane did not waste a single inch as he chased his brother’s time, but a fence down at the double as he set sail down the final line put paid to his efforts to take over the lead.

“Shane was asking me if I went six down that last line and I said ‘Don’t you worry about that now’,” joked Trevor. “I was trying to persuade him not to go fast but it didn’t work obviously! But it was my day today.”

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‘Bosty’ sees a long one, a Whitaker-packed jump-off, and a father and daughter win 500 miles apart

Jennifer Donald — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 08:21:45 +0000

The focus of international showjumping action this week was Birmingham, England, as we enjoyed a week of CSI3* jumping at Horse of the Year Show, with Shane Breen producing a breathtaking jump-off round to land the feature class, the Leading Showjumper of the Year title. But there was plenty happening overseas, too, with France’s Roger-Yves Bost and another Irishman, Shane Sweetnam, both gambling – and winning – with very daring decisions to take strides out in their respective classes.

Here is your weekly round-up of international action from the world of showjumping over the past week, plus showjumping results

Bosty sees a long one!

At the CSI5* Hubside Jumping, St Tropez, French rider Roger-Yves Bost landed Saturday’s two-phase with a spectacular leap (main image above) on the 14-year-old mare Urane, which helped to nudge them just 0.14sec clear of the field of 31 combinations.

“I knew this was the last class of the weekend for Urane so it had to be for us – especially as the mare is doing really well at the moment,” said the Flying Frenchman, who also won at the venue a fortnight earlier. “I gave it everything in the second part of the course and took out a stride before the last fence – I think that’s what made the difference.”

Sunday’s grand prix was won by another Frenchman, Laurent Goffinet riding Atome Des Etisses. Ireland’s Mark McAuley finished sixth with four faults in the jump-off on Jasco VD Bisschop. Earlier in the week, Scott Brash was also in the ribbons in the five-star classes on Hello Jefferson.

Hubside Jumping, St Tropez, grand prix showjumping results

Charles siblings hit winning form

Harry Charles won Friday’s CSI2* speed class at Hubside Jumping, St Tropez, with the relatively new ride, the 11-year-old mare Chavira, who was competed by his sister Sienna after coming from Sweden. The pair won by nearly 1.5sec in a field of 54 starters to claim the €6,375 top prize. The following day, Sienna won the silver tour grand prix with the lovely grey mare Havana M in a strong 12-way jump-off. Their sister Scarlett jumped double clear to finish seventh with the stallion I Am Jordan, while Ben Maher was placed higher up the rankings with Pamela Wright and Charlotte Rossetter’s Enjeu De Grisien.

Hubside Jumping, St Tropez, showjumping results

Shane Breen riding Cuick Star Kervec, winners of the JCB Leading Showjumper of the Year during the Horse of the Year Show held at the NEC in Birmingham in UK between 5 -9th October 2021 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

A Whitaker-packed jump-off

After a stellar year in which he’s landed the Hickstead Derby and the Queen’s Cup at the Royal International, Irish showjumper Shane Breen landed the Leading Showjumper of the Year at HOYS with the brilliant stallion Cuick Star Kervec (pictured above), who wowed the crowds with some mighty bucks on his lap of honour.

But Shane had some fierce opposition, not least from a strong contingent of Whitakers, and the famous showjumping family accounted for a whopping half of the eight jump-off contenders, as well as featuring throughout the show’s showjumping results. John Whitaker and Jack Whitaker took second and third respectively in Sunday’s feature class, with Robert Whitaker and his cousin Donald Whitaker not far behind.

“His scope is amazing. I’ve never ridden anything with this much scope,” said Shane, of his Quick Star stallion, with whom he finished 0.19sec ahead of John with Equine America Unick Du Francport.

“John is a legend of the sport and I knew he was in it to win it tonight,” said Shane of his 67-year-old rival. “He is an inspiration.”

Read all the H&H reports from this year’s Horse of the Year Show

HOYS results

Emotional win for home rider

On the CSI4* Morocco Royal Tour, home rider Abdelkebir Ouaddar won the 1.50m World Cup grand prix with the 14-year-old gelding Istanbull VH Ooievaarshof.

“This victory is magnificent because this horse was very difficult, but I managed to get him on my side and he gave his heart today,” said the Moroccan rider, who dedicated his victory to the country’s king.

Morocco Royal Tour results

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Celebrations abound on all-Irish podium

Ireland’s Darragh Kerins lead an Irish top three in Sunday’s CSI3* Split Rock Fall II $100,000 Lugano Diamonds grand prix. Darragh blazed to victory aboard Eve Jobs’ Valentino Tuiliere (Diamant De Semilly x Silvio), more than half a second ahead of Shane Sweetnam riding Alejandro with Daniel Coyle third on Jeffrey Jarden (all three pictured above). Darragh had been drawn first in an eight-way jump-off over tracks set by Bernardo Costa Cabral at Kentucky Horse Park, pulling off a risky inside turn in front of an unused fence to set the target of 38.49sec. Australian showjumper Rowan Willis clocked the fastest time of 37.26sec riding Wellington Grey Goose but with a fence down to place him fifth.

“For the past few months, this horse has just been jumping unbelievably, but I always end up just short in second or third place,” said Darragh of the 13-year-old gelding. “The horse really deserved the win today.”

Split Rock Fall II showjumping results

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Father and daughter win 500 miles apart

As well as finishing on the grand prix podium in Kentucky, Irish showjumper Shane Sweetnam won a 1.45m CSI3* class at the Split Rock Hunter Jumper Fall II, while over 500 miles away his 14-year-old daughter Olivia Sweetnam took the grand pony hunter champion title at the 2022 Capital Challenge Horse Show. Shane’s win came with Alejandro, taking out a jaw-dropping two strides to the final line.

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Meanwhile on the US East Coast at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, his daughter Olivia piloted the seven-year-old gelding Goldmark (pictured above) to beat a field of more than 100 ponies to claim the prestigious grand champion title.

“Right from the start he was a winner,” said Olivia, who is trained by her parents Ali and Shane Sweetnam at their Sweet Oak Farm in Florida. “Every show we’ve gone to we’ve won classes. In all except one show we’ve been champion or reserve. He’s just so amazing, and he really wants to do his best always.”

Capital Challenge Horse Show results

A grand prix win for Cyprus

In week two of the Autumn Mediterranean Equestrian Tour at Oliva Nova, Spain, a rider from Cyprus landed the CSI2* 1.50m grand prix. Alexa Stais rode Urhelia Lutterbach to victory in a huge jump-off, where the highest placed British rider was Jemma Kirk (Diamonds Are Unique) in eighth, sealing a week of excellent results for Jemma. Lance Whitehouse claimed the seven-year-old trophy this week with his British-bred Colestus son, Dexter.

Autumn MET Tour Week 2 results

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Back-to-back World Cups for Swail

Another Irishman in flying form this week was US-based Conor Swail, who landed Sacramento’s World Cup qualifier at the Murieta Equestrian Center for the second year running. The world number five headed last season’s North American League on the World Cup circuit and enjoyed a flying start to this year’s eight-leg series riding Vital Chance De La Roque (pictured above).

“He has had an incredible year,” said Conor of the 13-year-old Diamant De Semilly gelding. “Every time I ride him, I know he’s going to give me a good shot to win. The two of us just seem to have a good partnership.”

The pair claimed victory as the only double clear in a three-way jump-off, with 20-year-old Sophie Siegel (A-Girl) and Natalie Dean (Chance Ste Hermelle) of USA completing the podium.

“When you go first [in a jump-off of this size], you’re either first, second or third. I’d prefer to be first, and I wanted to try to put it away early,” said Conor. “I was going to do what my strengths are. My plan was to be fast [and not] leave the door open.”

‘I’ve never ridden anything with this much scope’: fiery stallion wins HOYS grand prix

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 22:56:30 +0000

Shane Breen bought Cuick Star Kervec as a yearling, nine years ago, and always thought he was going to be something special.

To conclude a superb week for the Irish at Horse of the Year show (HOYS) Shane and the fiery Quick Star stallion gave a masterclass in speed, power and control to come home just under a fifth of a second faster than John Whitaker on Equine America Unick Du Francport.

The first-round track had been tough, as expected in a grand prix, and only seven of the 29 starters went clear. But Breen Equestrian and Quirke Sport Horses’ 10-year-old made nothing of it, in what was only his third grand prix.

“His scope is amazing – I’ve never ridden anything with this much scope,” said Shane. “In my opinion, this is a very special horse.”

John had thrown down the gauntlet with a super-fast time, finishing by taking a stride out to the last. Shane said John had told him he would go on five strides from the first to second fences, but in the end went on six.

“I watched him and my brother Trevor said ‘You’ve got to do five’,” Shane said. “And the beauty of this horse is that he’s got an amazing stride.”

It was a first win in this class for Shane, who was delighted to win in front of the “fantastic crowd”.

“I bought this horse as a yearling and always thought he was going to be a superstar,” he said.

“To win his third grand prix is a great achievement, and especially here; it’s a great occasion. I think this could be the first step of many big steps.”

John, who was second to go on his and his wife Claire’s 14-year-old in the jump-off – but first of all the clears as eight went through to the jump-off and Donald Whitaker and Arlo De Blondel had carried their four first-round faults through with them – agreed that it was the line from fences one to two that won the class, though his speed and precision in turns, and mighty gallop to the last oxer, had made it as close as it was.

“I wanted to be quick, going first, but also wanted to be clear,” he said. “He jumped really good; both rounds felt great.”

Jack Whitaker, who finished third, on his 21st birthday, riding Equine America Valmy De La Lande, said he was “very happy” with his father Michael’s 13-year-old stallion. As last to go, and in a silence in which the proverbial pin would have clattered, he jumped a superb clear less than a second behind his uncle John.

Michael joked: “He could have gone a second and a half quicker! But it was a good round. He’s a stallion with a mind of his own, and you can only do what he wants to do. Jack did a good job there, they jumped really well.”

And Michael, who finished fourth in the class himself in 2019, added: “So he beat me!”

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Don’t miss a second of the action from HOYS on HorseandHound.co.uk with no limit on how much you can read from as little as £1 per week with a Horse & Hound unlimited website subscription. Join now. Plus enjoy our full 22-page HOYS magazine report, including in-depth analysis of all the showing and showjumping, plus exclusive comments, on sale Thursday 13 October.

A flying John Whitaker, a red Ferrari and young horse world champions – the tales behind this week’s showjumping results

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 15:12:37 +0000

Making the headlines among this week’s showjumping results were some exceptional young horses at the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Championships, a victorious British pony team and a raft of winners from the Unex Competition Yard in Saint Tropez.

For John Whitaker fans, there was a moment to savour in front of the New York skyline, where Daniel Deusser also chalked up the incredible achievement of back-to-back five-star grands prix. A landmark first international win also came for 39-year-old Matthew Boddy, so congratulations to him.

Here is your weekly round-up of international action from the world of showjumping over the past week.

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John Whitaker wins in front of the Statue of Liberty

Yorkshire’s very own John Whitaker saved the best for last when closing the Longines Global Champions Tour of New York with a sizzling five-star win aboard Equine America Unick Du Francport. With 10 combinations qualifying for the jump-off, this was always going to be a red-hot finale and, against the backdrop of the New York city skyline, fourth-drawn John (pictured above) flew home quickest, to beat Egypt’s Nayel Nassar riding El Conde.

“I am absolutely delighted,” said John, one of only three double clears. “This is such a special location and venue with the iconic Statue of Liberty behind us. We have come a long way, so to finish like this is top.

“Nayel was quick so when I beat him I knew I had a chance.”

Showjumping results from Sunday’s CSI5* 1.55m jump-off class at the LGCT New York

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World finals showcase Irish breeding…

The FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses at Lanaken in Belgium once again put the spotlight on some exceptional Irish bloodlines, with both the five- and six-year-old finals won by Irish-bred youngsters.

The six-year-old title went to the outstanding Kannan mare ABC Saving Grace, ridden by Ethen Ahearne (pictured above) and bred by Patrick Kehoe out of Cruising mare Ardnehue Diamond Cruiser. Grace is a half-sister to the former Harry Charles ride ABC Quantum Cruise.

“I got ABS Saving Grace in November when I started my own stable and competed her for the first time in February or March,” said Ethen, who was making his debut at these world championships. “But so far she has only jumped at national level and last month in Dublin we were able to qualify for this World Championship. So this was actually the first time we competed at international level.”

A total of 40 combinations had qualified for this six-year-old final, with 14 jumping clear in round one, and the runner-up spot went to Garance De Vains, by Diamant De Semilly, ridden by Valentin Pacaud for France from breeder Christian Bihl. British rider Alex Gill had two horses through to the jump-off and took the bronze medal riding the VDL Stud’s KWPN gelding Lacoste VDL (VDL Zirocco Blue x Indoctro).

FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses six-year-old final results

… With a tremendous five-year-old also taking centre stage

The five-year-old champion at the FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses was BP Goodfellas (Stakkato Gold x Obos Quality), bred by Kevin Babington and ridden by Ger O’Neill, who only took the reins four weeks earlier.

“I have nothing but admiration for this horse,” said Ger, who has won two championships at Lanaken in recent years.

The 1.30m track was set by Eugene Mathy and 18 of the 47 finalists progressed to the jump-off, where Ger and the quality gelding came out from late draw to post the fastest clear in 40.12sec.

“He didn’t need, in retrospect, to jump the double with the speed at which I entered,” said the Irishman. “But he did a great job. He is a nice horse to ride with a real winner’s mentality. I also rode his mother [Goodwins Loyalty] a long time ago, so that makes a nice story. And I expect this is only the first chapter for BP Goodfellas.”

FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses five-year-old final results

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If at first you don’t succeed… First international success for Matthew Boddy

In New York, the CSI2* grand prix presented by Champagne Piaff at the Longines Global Champions Tour was won by British rider Matthew Boddy and the 14-year-old gelding Chameur 137, owned by Purple Road LLC (pictured in action, above). The pair were the fastest of just two double clears. This win was a landmark for the 39-year-old rider as it was his first international success.

“I owe so much to Georgina Bloomberg and [trainer] Jimmy Doyle; I’m not doing this without them,” said Matthew, who works for Georgina’s Gotham Enterprizes. “Representing them makes me proud as anything. I’ve been trying for two and a half years to win for them and I’ve been knocking on the door for a long time.

“I thought my mum and dad were going to have a heart attack at home! It’s a great first international win for me,” added Matthew, who was competing at only his second show on Chameur, who was previously ridden by Georgina. “Today was the result we wanted. We’ve been experimenting for a couple of days because I don’t really know him that well. We went in on the attack and it worked for us. He jumped so easy, nice and confident. It was cool to be here and win in New York, especially for Georgina. She’s so kind to me and gives me horses to ride. I like working for the team and wearing the badge.”

The runner-up spot went to US rider Emmanuelle Greenberg riding the 14-year-old Darco stallion Dublin Van Overis, while third was US-based British rider Amanda Derbyshire and her recent Hampton Classic victor Wonder If, a 10-year-old mare by Cevin Z owned by Gochman Sport Horse LLC. This pair produced the fastest jump-off time but with one rail down to beat fourth-placed finisher Mimi Gochman and Celina BH.

LGCT of New York CSI2* grand prix showjumping results

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‘Icing on the cake’ for impressive Casall seven-year-old

The champion seven-year-old at the FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses was the Casall-sired gelding Caillan, ridden by Sweden’s Rolf-Goran Bengtsson for owner-breeder Gerd Ohlsen. The runner-up was the Zangersheide stallion Dourkhan Hero Z, ridden by Christian Ahlmann, with Cornet Obolensky mare Precious Dwerse Hagen and Olivier Philippaerts of Belgium taking third.

Great Britain’s James Whitaker reached the jump-off with the quality son of Argento, Just Call Me Henry, to take seventh in this coveted final.

Rolf, who rode the great stallion Casall to a string of great international successes during an outstanding career together, and Caillan flew from penultimate draw to secure the world title.

“We have had an incredibly good year – we already won the championship in Holstein and Warendorf and this is really the icing on the cake,” said Rolf. “If I compare him to his sire, Caillan is more explosive on the jump than Casall, but of course he still has a long way to go to match his track record!”

There was a British victory in the seven-year-old consolation final courtesy of Joe Trunkfield riding Harry Whall’s Uriah 4, with the runner-up spot going to Billy Utah, by Cevin Z, ridden by Jessica Burke of Ireland.

FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses seven-year-old final results

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Back-to-back grands prix for Daniel Deusser

Germany’s Daniel Deusser followed up on his success at the recent CP International at Spruce Meadows by making a triumphant return with Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z in the Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix of New York. Less than a second separated the quartet of jump-off contenders and the runner-up spot went to London victor Pieter Devos riding Mom’s Toupie De La Roque, with Sweden’s Malin Baryard-Johnsson third on H&M Indiana.

This was Tobago’s fourth show back after a break.

“I’m happy and proud that he is finally getting back into form and I hope to enjoy him a little longer,” said Daniel. “If it works out like that when you’re last to go in the jump-off and you finish in first place, then it’s always fun!”

The golden ticket to the LGCT Super Grand Prix in Prague passed to fourth-placed Irishman Shane Sweetnam on Alejandro.

“This is Alejandro’s second time qualifying for LGCT Super Grand Prix so that shows what a great horse he is,” said Shane. “He was close in Miami so I thought I had a chance of winning today. I am very excited to have qualified and very excited about today’s result.”

Ben Maher and Faltic HB took sixth in the grand prix with four faults in round one and the Brit now heads to the season final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, next month at the top of the overall season standings.

LGCT of New York grand prix results

A triumphant British team

Great Britain’s pony team scooped victory in the FEI Youth Nations Cup Final in the Netherlands ahead of France and Ireland in a tight-scoring contest. The squad of Tabitha Kyle, who jumped the clinching double clear on Atomic Du Bary, Noora von Bulow on Elando Van De Eoshoeve, Harriet Hodge riding Little Charlie and Tilly Bamford (Lapislazuli) claimed victory on a score of six. Noora was also an individual winner on the pony small tour riding the 15-year-old mare Delflip and in the junior section with the prolific nine-year-old Interstar B, while Tabitha came home with a victorious four-timer with Oakley and the mare Nightgirl VH Sonnishof Z. Junior rider Eve McCoy also kept the British flag flying with a double of 1.30m win with her father Sir Anthony’s Cocktail D’Azur.

Results of the FEI Youth Nations Cup Final

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‘She’s going to be a big name for me’

The Irish flag flew proudly in New York, first for Eoin McMahon and the 16-year-old gelding Chacon, who triumphed in the opening CSI5* 1.45m two-phase at the Longines Global Champions Tour of New York.

“There were some spooky fences on the course today, but my horse handled it very well,” said Eoin of Madeleine Winter-Schulze’s Chacco-Blue son.

Chasing him home were German showjumper Hans-Dieter Dreher riding Cous Cous, with third place going to fellow Irishman Shane Breen and Haya, who went on to win Sunday’s CSI5* speed class (pictured above).

“She was fantastic in there,” said Shane of the 10-year-old KWPN mare (Mylord Cathargo x For Pleasure) he co-owns with Old Lodge and on whom he triumphed in the Queen’s Cup at the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead.

“She’s been wonderful all season. The plan is to build her up for the grands prix and, step by step, we’re getting there. Next year, she’s going to be a big name for me.

“I saw that they were doing seven strides quite easily to the last jump, so I thought if I kept up on the left-hand side, I could do six strides. I chanced it and it came off.”

He beat his fellow Irishman Darrah Kenny and Chic Chic into second.

Results from the LGCT of New York

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Team Unex prove unstoppable in St Tropez

In the CSI1* classes at Hubside Jumping in St Tropez, the Gredleys’ Unex Competition Yard was again well represented in the winner’s circle with Rachel Gredley (pictured above) collecting red ribbons on both Jalanna and Hobalo. Rachel’s sister-in-law Polly landed a 1.25m one-two on Jimmy Mack V Berkenbroeck and Baloubelle and, not to be outdone, stable jockey Joe Clayton headed a class on Sunday with Belinda. This seals a phenomenal run of form for the team over the past three weeks in the south of France.

Rachel said of the 10-year-old Hobalo, who was previously ridden by her husband Tim Gredley: “I’ve only been riding Hobalo for two or three months. He is a very respectful, courageous horse and it is great to see him win a class today. I think he has the potential to go to higher classes, just like [London LGCT winner] Jalanna, who has been running very well for three weeks at Hubside Jumping.”

French showjumper Julien Gronin landed the CSI5* 1.60m grand prix jump-off riding the 13-year-old mare Valou Du Lys. He was chased home by Ireland’s Billy Twomey and the stallion Chat Botte ED. The two-star equivalent went to Lorenzo De Luca riding Poden Farms’ mare Dirka De Blondel. Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano (pictured top soaring past a riskily parked red Ferrari) was also a multi-winner this week.

Hubside Jumping results

Prague Lions triumph in GCL

GCL team Prague Lions produced the sole double clear to triumph in the Global Champions League of New York, held on Governors Island. The squad was represented by Niels Bruynseels aboard Matador and Pieter Devos and the super barefoot mare Mom’s Toupie De La Roque and this was the Lions’ third success of the season. This also fast-tracked them to the semi-finals of the GC Super Cup in Prague in November. Stockholm Hearts and Berlin Eagles head to the final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, next month just one point apart at the top of the leader board.

GCL results from New York

French-bred triumphs in the Sires of the World

The prestigious Sires of the World Class at the FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses was won by the Selle-Francais approved Kannan stallion Drako De Maugre, ridden by Germany’s Patrick Stühlmeyer. Belgium’s Gudrun Pateet took second on the eight-year-old Sea Coast Enjoy Z (Emerald x Parco).

“I’ve been riding this horse for a while but this is only our sixth competition together,” said Patrick of the winning nine-year-old. “I’m confident he has more in store for us.”

The highest placed British contenders were Louise Saywell with Ian Dowie’s nine-year-old Kinsborough Kasper, by Kannan, in a very creditable 12th.

Results from the Sires of the World at the World Breeding Championships

Horse sold for £230,000 at Breen Equestrian auction joins Whitaker family

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 11:57:57 +0000

At Breen Equestrian’s first jumping auction, hosted by Shane and Chloe Breen at Hickstead on 30 August, a total of 11 young horses went under the hammer, attracting strong bidding under the guidance of auctioneer Nick Brooks-Ward and plenty of interest from around the world.

The night’s top lot was the seven-year-old stallion Z7 Porsche, by the great sire Emerald Van’t Ruytershof x Conchita. The stunning youngster, owned by Breen Equestrian and Team Z7, has been ridden to great success by Georgia Tame, Shane and Trevor Breen, and most recently Patrick Hickey, winning the seven-year-old finals in Abu Dhabi and at Northcote this year.

The exciting young stallion has also qualified for the Foxhunter final at this year’s Horse of the Year Show and was sold with the ticket to the prestigious championship.

Bred in Belgium by Jan De Plecker, Z7 Porsche shares bloodlines with some of the sport’s best performers including McLain Ward’s Kasper Van Het Hellehof, Paul O’Shea’s Imerald Van’t Voorhof and Jos Verlooy’s world championship ride Igor.

After a volley of bids from USA and Canada, the seven-year-old was sold for £230,000 to former rider Louise McEvoy who has sent her new purchase to George and Michaela Whitaker at Dallamires Stables (pictured below).

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“It was love at first sight!” Louise told H&H of Z7 Porsche. “I wasn’t able to be at the auction in person, so I watched and bid online. Canada and the United States were against me and I really wasn’t sure how it was going to go. It was a great feeling when the hammer finally dropped, knowing that a stallion of Porsche’s calibre would be staying in the UK.”

Breen Equestrian jumping auction: ‘The collection was second to none’

Louise has bought showjumping youngsters previously from European jumping auctions but had been on the lookout for a slightly older competition stallion to help her pursue her breeding interests.

“I saw a few I liked on the Continent, but none who blew my socks off – which is my benchmark!” she said. “I think with a stallion it is especially important for them to be exceptional in all respects. I was, therefore, really excited when Shane Breen – someone who I admire enormously – announced he was going to be hosting a new elite auction in the UK.

“The collection of horses he put forward were second to none, and I think proves he is true to his word when he says that, whatever level, Breen Equestrian horses are for sale.”

Louise chose to send the stallion to the “exceptionally talented” husband and wife team of George and Michaela Whitaker to continue his highly promising showjumping career.

“Their facilities are fantastically well appointed and I know Porsche will receive the very best of everything there,” she said. “The short-term plan is to get organised for HOYS, which is just around the corner. After which he will continue his competition career with George and also be available for stallion duties.

“I’ve always loved buying at auctions and am completely devoid of nerves when it comes to the bidding process – I only wish the same were true when it comes to watching my horses compete! For me, that’s the most difficult part of all!”

Several Breen Equestrian home-breds were included in the auction and the seven-year-old BE Golden – by Shane’s Hickstead Derby runner-up Golden Hawk out of his Queen’s Cup winner Zarnita – and half-sister BE Coolham, by Cuick Star Kervec, were both bought by Deckers Sporthorses in the Netherlands.

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The six-year-old BE Sunshine, another by Golden Hawk, was snapped up by Chris Warren for £26,000.

“BE Sunshine has everything and more we could hope for, and looks to have all the attributes to make a top showjumper,” said Chris. “I thought the evening was a great showcase for Breen Equestrian as it brought together a great group of horses in a fantastic evening – we are looking forward to the next.”

Breen Equestrian jumping auction results

Lot 1: 5yo gelding BE Top-Sekret (by Cornet Obolensky) £28,000 (Canada)
Lot 2: 5yo mare BE Coolham (by Cuick Star Kervec) £42,000 (auction floor, Netherlands)
Lot 3: 6yo gelding BE Sunshine (by Golden Hawk) £26,000 (auction floor, UK)
Lot 4: 7yo stallion Z7 Porsche (by Emerald) £230,000 (UK)
Lot 5: 5yo gelding Rivell PS (by Vigo D’Arsouilles) £42,000 (Germany)
Lot 6: 6yo mare Certified (by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet) £43,000 (Canada)
Lot 7: 7yo mare BE Blue I (by Plot Blue) £30,000 (auction floor)
Lot 8: 5yo gelding BE Flygold (by Stakkato Gold) £18,000 (auction floor)
Lot 9: 6yo mare Ballyvogue Freedom (by Balloon) £18,000 (Canada)
Lot 10: 7yo mare Cinderella Z II (by Comfilo Plus Z) £130,000 (auction floor)
Lot 11: 7yo gelding BE Golden (by Golden Hawk) £145,000 (auction floor, Netherlands)

A ‘big pony with a big heart’, a historic dead heat and a rider without a stirrup – who won showjumping ribbons this week?

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 05 Sep 2022 17:01:28 +0000

The summer season is reaching a crescendo across the Atlantic, with a string of top level shows in Canada and USA at the moment with showjumping results coming thick and fast, but there’s plenty of action in Europe too. This week we saw a rare tie for top honours in a five-star grand prix, a rider having to improvise with a fast plan B after losing a stirrup in a jump-off, an oversized pony finding the winning formula and the return of Ben Maher’s World Championship star Faltic HB in a nail-biting jump-off.

Here is your weekly round-up of international sporting action from the world of showjumping over the past few days, as well as this week’s showjumping results.

Who needs two stirrups anyway?

In the final CSI5* class at the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) of Rome at the Circus Maximus, Christian Ahlmann and the stallion Solid Gold Z (pictured below) triumphed – despite the rider losing a stirrup en route and having to improvise during his jump-off round. Christian executed a miraculous rollback after his foot slipped out of the stirrup at the third fence from home.

“I had to do one or two extra strides than I planned,” said the German rider, who still bolted home 0.91sec faster than runner-up Malin Baryard-Johnsson of Sweden riding the brilliantly named Harley Davidson in a six-way jump-off. “He is an unbelievable horse, an unbelievable fighter and I’m so pleased everyone can see how special he is.”

Showjumping results from the 1.50m jump-off class at the LGCT Rome

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A historic dead heat and incredible winning streak for Matt Sampson

Very rarely will a top-level grand prix result in a dead heat, but at the Continental CSI5*/2* tournament at Spruce Meadows, Canada, Ireland’s Paul O’Shea and British rider Matt Sampson shared the spoils after both riders stopped the clock on exactly 38sec in Sunday’s Friends of the Meadows grand prix presented by Rolex (pictured below). A field of 20 combinations representing eight nations tackled Anthony D’Ambrosio’s track with seven making it through to the jump-off. Riding Imerald Van’t Voorhof, Paul set the lightning-quick target for Matt to chase and he and the great mare Ebolensky flew off in hot pursuit, posting the exact same time. This was the first time in Spruce Meadows history that there were two winners of a five-star grand prix.

“We love Spruce Meadows, to be able to jump in the big grass fields before next week [CSIO5* Masters tournament] and have this result builds confidence,” said Matt. Paul added: “This is a big grand prix in itself, I’m very happy to be here and to have this opportunity ahead of next week.”

This win was the icing on the cake for a jubilant Matt, who is enjoying an incredible winning streak, having also claimed victory this week in the 1.45m CSI2* grand prix with Rachel Evison’s Curraghgraigue Obos Flight, a 1.40m on Evora BJX and Thursday’s 1.50m class riding Fabrice DN, with several other placings too. Well done Matt!

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Spruce Meadows Continental tournament showjumping results

The secret to one “quirky” multi-winning horse? A ‘support human’

US showjumper Kristen Vanderveen landed the speed stakes at the Hampton Classic Horse Show on a big-striding horse with “a quirky personality”, Bull Run’s Prince of Peace.

“It’s great to be back at the Hampton Classic,” she said. “My plan was actually to go all-out on my second horse, Faustino, but today it paid off to stay a little conservative. Prince of Peace is also a really fast horse, so I didn’t have to go all-out with him.”

“He’s quite the character,” she said of the 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding. “He’s taken me a bit of time to figure out. He’s got a quirky personality, so he’s a little special in the barn. He always likes to have his groom with him; we call it ‘needing his support human.’ But he’s won many classes over the years and been great. He’s done speed classes and grands prix, and it’s nice to have a horse that I can use in both divisions.”

Hampton Classic results

Faltic HB is back!

One of the heroes of Great Britain’s bronze medal-winning squad from last month’s World Showjumping Championships, Ben Maher’s ride Faltic HB, was back in action this week, competing at the LGCT of Rome. Ben and the Oakingham Stud’s stallion blitzed round clear in 43.35sec to finish a very close second to victor Christian Kukuk riding the impressive stallion Mumbai in Saturday’s grand prix. The victorious German rider picked up one of the last remaining golden tickets to this year’s prestigious LGCT Super Grand Prix at the Prague Playoffs in November.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Taking third after a thrilling 12-way jump-off was Marlon Zanotelli riding Like A Diamond Van Het Schaeck, just ahead of world champion Henrik von Eckermann with his potential superstar mare Iliana. The recent LGCT London winner, Pieter Devos and Mom’s Toupie De La Roque finished fifth while another Brit, Jodie Hall McAteer rode another brilliant double clear with Salt’N Peppa (H&H‘s Spotlight star in this week’s magazine, in the shops 8 September) to finish seventh.

“This means everything to me,” said Christian, who is based at the stables of Ludger Beerbaum. “I have put enormous effort into this sport and all the horses, especially Mumbai, over the past 10 years since I started at Ludger’s and I always dream about winning one of these LGCT grands prix.

“I just realised that the breeder of Mumbai is here and it is her birthday – I think the day was just made for us. My groom has always said ‘I want to win one of these grands prix and I want to be in Prague for the Super Grand Prix’ and I said ‘I will try my best’. Today it worked out – it means a lot to us.”

Ben Maher has closed in on leader Christian Ahlmann in the championship standings; now just six points separate the two contenders as they head to the next round in New York this month before the final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in October.

LGCT grand prix of Rome results

“Big pony with a big heart” jumps to victory

At the 2022 Hampton Classic Horse Show at Bridgehampton, NY, Amanda Derbyshire triumphed in Friday’s CSI2* grand prix qualifier riding Gochman Sport Horse LLC’s Wonder If (main image above).

“I’ve had ‘Juicy’ since the start of Florida this year,” said Amanda of the 10-year-old British-bred Cevin Z mare, formerly produced by Emma McGlynn. “She’s the most awesome horse. She’s literally a big pony with a really big heart. She’s been nothing but perfect since we got her and is the nicest, friendliest horse. Every time you go into the ring, you know she’s going to try for you, and it’s such a good feeling to have. Even though she’s little and doesn’t have the biggest stride, she makes up for it by being really fast and economical over the jumps. The owner, Becky, was also here to watch today, and it’s just amazing. She’s my biggest supporter, and I will always be grateful to her.”

Sunday’s $410,000 Hampton Classic five-star grand prix was won by Karl Cook with Kalinka Van’t Zorgvliet.

Showjumping results from Hampton Classic

“What a horse”

At the CSI3* Bemer Riders Tour at Lier, Belgium, Great Britain’s Robert Whitaker was in the money, claiming a victory in Friday’s 1.50m grand prix qualifier riding Caroline Blatchford’s 13-year-old Evert after a quality field of 13 jumped off against the clock.

“What a horse,” said Robert, who went on to finish 10th to Frenchman Mathieu Billot (Darling De L’Angevine) in the 1.55m feature class and also finished in the money at the show with Vermento.

Showjumping results from CSI3* Lier

London Knights win GCL of Rome

The duo of Mike Kawai and Sam Hutton helped GCL team London Knights to their first podium of the season at the Rome leg on Saturday (3 September).

“This feeling is actually amazing because I have always wanted to be on top of the podium in the GCL and to win the class feels incredible – we finally did it!” said Mike, who is trained by Jan Tops and rode Goldwin, a former mount of Laura Kraut, in Rome.

Sam, who was riding the London stallion Oak Grove’s Laith at only their second show together, added: “We really stuck together as a team. Abdel Said was there helping us and it was a great feeling. We are going to be fighting for a top-four finish that is for sure. When I walked it I thought it was quite a difficult course, and everyone was jumping it really well early on but I think it was the pressure of the teams that got to everyone.”

Berlin Eagles have now taken the lead in the GCL Championship with just two stages to go.

GCL results from Rome

Auction purchase is proving profitable

Israeli showjumper Daniel Bluman took top honours in the $74,000 Hampton Classic CSI2* grand prix riding Cachemire De Braize.

“Cache has been with us for about three years,” said Daniel of the 10-year-old Selle Français gelding. “He came out of an auction a few years ago, and I’ve been working with him since. He’s got a lot of talent, and he’s definitely fast. He’s had almost 10 international wins. He’s a very good horse, very competitive, and has his own way of going.

“[Course designer] Alan Wade of course did a good job, but we don’t expect anything less from him. It was a difficult track for the two-star level, but Cachemire is a five-star horse. He’s done a lot of four-star grands prix, so he’s really at a level where he has experience and scope to spare. He gave me a really, really nice first round, then was great for the second. I knew I had to lay it out in the second round because I had some fast riders coming, and Karl Cook had already had a good jump-off. I just focused on my plan, and it worked out.”

Hampton Classic results

Ebanking at Adam Botham yard, Chimenys near Moreton-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire in the UK on the 25th April 2022 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Botham’s quick-fire treble in Rome

Fresh from success at the London leg of the LGCT, Adam Botham rode Barbara Hester’s Harvey to victory in Friday’s CSI2* two-phase at the LGCT in Rome. Warwickshire-based Adam quickly made it a winning double, jumping Barbara’s great stallion Ebanking (pictured above) to victory in the 1.40m equivalent, then the duo returned the next morning to take the red ribbons for the speed class by an incredible margin of nearly 2sec.

Another British rider who finished in the ribbons in London, Izac Ketteridge, chased home Adam and Harvey in the opening two-phase to finish second riding Z7 Caretina and then followed up with a victory double in both Saturday’s 1.30m speed class and Sunday’s jump-off class riding Carron Nicol’s impressive 11-year-old Galerius.

Ireland’s Shane Breen was another victor in Italy’s capital this week, winning the opening CSI5* two-phase with Z7 Ipswich.

LGCT Rome showjumping results

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

‘We don’t need to run round Europe’: Queen Elizabeth Cup winner sings home shows’ praises

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 30 Jul 2022 16:15:22 +0000

Shane Breen took his third Queen Elizabeth II Cup victory at the Royal International Horse Show — on a horse who was making her debut in the International Arena.

The Irishman and Haya, a 10-year-old Mylord Carthago mare owned by Breen Equestrian and Old Lodge, were last to go in the jump-off, knocking over a second off the speedy time set by Nicole Lockhead Anderson and Tom Williams’ Miss Aragona PS.

Only three of the 28 starters had jumped clear in the first round, the third being Joe Fernyhough on Rowland Fernyhough’s Calcourt Particle, and Shane said the 1.50m track took as much riding as yesterday’s (29 July) Nations Cup.

“I thought it was plenty big enough,” he said. “When I walked in the arena this morning, to walk the five-star international course, this was up too and I had to stop a minute to see which course to walk because there was no difference. This was a more difficult track to ride, and it should be as it’s a grand prix, and it’s what we strive towards.”

Shane, who has now lifted the Royal International Queen’s Cup three times, said: “It’s fantastic. It would be nice if I could win the King’s Cup too! But it’s nice to have three queens. You can’t do this without great horses and great owners, and I’m very fortunate to have that. Old Lodge are great supporters of showjumping and [Haya is] incredibly careful.

“I was a bit apprehensive as she’s never been in there before, and only jumped water in a sand ring but I was so impressed with her; nothing fazed her and she was up for the job.”

Shane added that in the jump-off, he managed to watch Joe’s classy clear before he went.

“Then I saw Nicole and thought ‘Jesus! How am I going to beat that?” he said. “I thought I’d try to do the same round she did and go a smidgen tighter at the [middle] vertical, and maybe that’s how I did it.”

Nicole, who is now riding for Guy Williams’ brother Tom, is no stranger to success in the International Arena, but said it was “an incredible feeling, to be beaten by one of the best”.

“My horse gave me everything,” she added. “I’m delighted. Guy helped me, and just told me to ride my own round and try to beat Joe. I’m very lucky Tom gave me the ride on her, and it’s amazing to be in that arena.”

Joe, who had not competed at Hickstead since his pony days, jumped two foot-perfect clears to finish third. He said his first draw put him at a slight disadvantage, but “my horse spends so much time in the air, I couldn’t have done a lot different”.

Shane added that the “fantastic” Queen Elizabeth II Cup is very important as part of producing horses and riders.

“These three horses, and all the horses, go through the county shows which are, I think, fantastic,” he said. “The county shows really need to be supported. They’re great for the seven- to nine-year-old horses, to do the trials, and we really need to support what we have at home.

“The one we have near here, the South of England, is amazing. These shows will make great riders. One thing Douglas Bunn built Hickstead for was for English people to produce horses to take on the world. The county shows do that too; we don’t need to run around Europe when we’ve got that at home.”

Shane Breen on his Hickstead Derby victory: ‘Maybe one of my kids will win it one day’

Pippa Roome — Sun, 24 Jul 2022 12:02:17 +0000

Shane Breen says the history of the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby – and the place Hickstead holds in the heart of his family, as the Breens are based there – made his first win in the class last month particularly special.

“It was the 60th running of the Derby and my wife Chloe and I jumped in it together and were equal third, so obviously she knows what it’s like to go round there,” he says, in an interview on episode 112 of The Horse & Hound Podcast, supported this week by Bucas.

“It was lovely to have all the kids there. When you look to the future, I feel very proud that I was able to win the Derby and I look forward to one of my kids maybe winning it one day. It’s not that they have to do it, but if they would like to do it, hopefully we can have a horse like Can Ya Makan or Golden Hawk for them to have a pleasurable ride around on.”

Shane said that his winner Can Ya Makan was “very comfortable” and “really enjoying himself” round the course.

“I think twice on the way around I gave him a little pat on the neck just to tell him that we’re doing fine, you’re doing a great job, just to keep it together,” says Shane. “Obviously it’s twice as enjoyable when you jump around clear. It’s the second time I’ve jumped around clear as I jumped clear with Golden Hawk in 2019. So to do it again, with Can Ya Makan, was really a fantastic feeling.“

Shane jumped the only clear of the class with Can Ya Makan and also finished equal second with four faults on Golden Hawk.

“The win is amazing, but to be first and second, equal second was kind of the icing on the cake. I was just so happy for both Can Ya Makan and Golden Hawk because they’re 16 and 17 and they’ve been fantastic horses in my career. I’ve had many, many great days and great successes with them. Both of them can’t win on the one day, but hopefully I’ll give it another go possibly next year with both of them, if they’re in good shape and they’re up for it.”

Shane Breen says that his two Hickstead Derby rides, Can Ya Makan and Golden Hawk, are similar in that both have a lot of thoroughbred blood, plus they are both scopey and careful. But they are different in other ways – Can Ya Makan is “not a great fan” of the dry ditch on the Derby course, while Golden Hawk is very brave there, but has to be kept relaxed.

The winner didn’t watch any other competitors in this year’s showdown as he was warming up or trotting off his horses during the class, but Michael Quirke had the contest streaming on his phone at the side of the arena so he knew what was happening.

“After I jumped Golden Hawk, there were two left to go and I was concentrating on getting ready to get back up on Can Ya Makan. I was basically just thinking about my jump-off and the warm-up for it. I was just about ready to get back up on him when word came through that Dermot Lennon had had a fault at the bank so I obviously didn’t need to get back on him [as there wouldn’t be a jump-off],” says Shane.

Hear more about Shane Breen’s young horses and his hopes for the Royal International next week by tuning in to episode 112 of The Horse & Hound Podcast here, or search “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your favourite podcast app.

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Young Brits on top form as World Championships approach: who won showjumping ribbons this week?

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 16:53:52 +0000

Young British riders flew the flag this week, with Harry Charles and Matt Sampson taking top-level wins. Here is your weekly round-up of just some of the international sporting action from the world of showjumping.

Another top win for Harry Charles

God Save The Queen played in the Zoute Plage arena at Knokke Hippique, Belgium, this weekend, as Britain’s young superstar and his fantastic ride Stardust, owned by Pembroke Holdings and Stall Zet, won the CSI5* 1.55m class.

Harry and the 12-year-old Chacco-Blue mare, one of four rides with which Harry has been named on the World Championships nominated entries list, were the fastest of eight in the jump-off to take the win.

More Knokke Hippique results

Sampson continues to impress

Hot on the heels of his first five-star win, in Spruce Meadows, Canada, on Fabrice DN, young British rider Matt Sampson scored another CCI5* victory, this time on Ebolensky.

Matt and the KWPN mare, whom he owns with Rachael Evison, took the 1.50m AKITA Drilling winning round on 9 July. This was Matt’s 10th win of the 2022 Spruce Meadows summer series.

Full Spruce Meadows results

Irish victory across the pond

Paul O’Shea won the ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Spruce Meadows on Imerald van’t Voorhof on 9 July. The combination jumped one of seven first-round clears, then clocked up just a single time-fault in the second round to clinch the win.

“He’s a great water jumper and very brave. I had a feeling if I brought him here he would excel,” said Paul.

Speedy Guy takes a win

Guy Williams and his superstar stallion Rouge De Ravel added yet another win to their impressive CV in Tops International Arena, Valkenswaard.

Guy and his lightning-fast 17-year-old stallion claimed the biggest win on the first day of action as the Tops International Arena season was officially declared open. The combination came home over two seconds faster than Emanuele Gaudiano on Nikolaj de Music, with Ireland’s Daniel Coyle in third on Ivory TCS.

More results from Valkenswaard

Shane on form

Shane Breen picked up a couple of good placings at CSI Ommen, The Netherlands, this weekend.

The Irishman took second and fourth in 1.45m three-star classes, on Haya and Cuick Star Kervec respectively.

More results from Ommen

Young talent follows in her father’s footsteps to claim Hickstead victory

Becky Murray — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 16:03:31 +0000

Shane Breen’s daughter Darcy has followed in her famous father’s footsteps by winning a prestigious title at Hickstead – just a week after he lifted the Hickstead Derby trophy for the first time.

Young riders from across the country descended on Hickstead on 1 July for the Hurst College National Schools and Pony Club Jumping Championships. The competition, in its 58th year, features junior, senior, and Pony Club team and individual categories.

Darcy Breen was part of the winning Cottesmore school team in the 90cm junior category with the experienced 15-year-old gelding Cearoin Mor Lad. Darcy was joined by cousin Mia – daughter of fellow Hickstead Derby winner Trevor Breen – with Golden Frisky, Orla Burrell-Thompson and Maxi Million, and Daisy Andrews on Woodwards Vinnie.

The Cottesmore junior team (Image credit: Suse Martin Turner)

The team fought off competition from nine other schools and finished on a zero score, to take the victory over Hurst Red.

Darcy, who said she’d like to follow in her father’s footsteps one day and win the Derby, took over the ride Cearoin Mor Lad from her older sister Lorna.

“He’s a really reliable pony who is good at everything,” she said.

Darcy’s mother Chloe Breen said the school was very nearly unable to provide a team owing to the competition clashing with the school play.

“Fortunately the headmaster and the headmistress were very understanding, and one of the teachers stood in for Orla in the play,” said Chloe.

“It was a really young team and Mia was only enlisted at the last minute, so that was an amazing achievement, and Darcy and Daisy are in their last year so it’s lovely for them to win. They all played their part and we’re delighted.”

Daisy, a former Olympia and Horse of the Year Show winner, went one step further and was crowned winner of the Hickstead elite 1.10m National Schools Equestrian Association individual championship with nine-year-old Cevin Z son Bermudez BDA, who she is aiming at senior newcomers second rounds this year.

Another showjumper’s offspring to reign victorious was Rosie Smith – daughter of Olympic rider Holly Smith – who was part of the winning senior Tudor Hall team. Rosie and her teammates Xanthee Anstee Marriott on Ardough Boy, Hettie Turcan with Capard Lady and Molly Turcan on Star Smokey, beat Seaford College into second. Rosie was also third individually with Caherlistrane Glass, with the individual senior top spot going to Georgie Beeby Wynn and Afficks Eclipse from Berkhamsted school. Matilda Jackson Clutton of Mayfield school won the individual junior section on Corriview Molly.

The Tudor Hall senior team (Image credit: Suse Martin Turner)

Talented 16-year-old event horse Amsterdam 21 – the former four-star ride of New Zealand’s Jesse Campbell – showed his versatility, winning the individual Pony Club competition with Charlotte Bull of the Eridge branch.

“He’s a phenomenal horse and it was so lovely to come here and have such a great experience on him,” said Charlotte, who got the ride in February.

In the Pony Club team competition the Crawley & Horsham branch, featuring Briony Martin and Tynan Express, Ella Bubb and Happy, Felicity Reynolds and Directeur and Georgia Stephens on Gorsehill Jack, took the honours ahead of Eridge.

A prize-giving FaceTime call and some divine intervention: the inside story of Shane Breen’s Hickstead Derby success

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 15:32:16 +0000

The spotlight fell on Shane Breen on Sunday (26 June) when he finally won the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby title with Team Z7’s stunning 16-year-old stallion Can Ya Makan, who produced the only clear round in the class.

“Luckily, thankfully, it was my day today,” said Shane, 47, after lifting the coveted Boomerang trophy for the first time. “People kept saying ‘This is your year’ but I’d say, ‘It’s been my year for the past 15 years!’”

But behind every career-defining victory is a hard-working team devoted to their horses and the path to glory is rarely straightforward. We caught up with Shane and connections of the winning stallion Can Ya Makan to hear the inside story of their Hickstead Derby success.

Bought at auction as a two-year-old

Can Ya Makan is a Holstein stallion by Canturo, out of a Fier Du Lui mare, and was bred by Gerald Lenaerts of Stud Farm Overis. As a two-year-old, he was bought by Dubai-based Team Z7’s founder Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who changed his name from Cantianos to Can Ya Makan, which means “once upon a time” in Arabic.

He was produced through his early years largely by Miguel Bravo and Marion Hughes, with Shane’s fellow Hickstead Derby winner Mikey Pender enjoying a spell in the saddle before he was sent to Shane to ride in 2017. Shane’s former stable jockey Georgia Tame also enjoyed some great competition results on the stallion during her time with the Breen team.

“Marion Hughes, Miguel Bravo and Mikey Pender had competed him up to five-star grand prix level before I took over the reins and I did some Global Champions Tour and GCL shows with him, and he was very good, placed in a lot of good classes,” says Shane.

‘We never thought he was a Derby horse’

Shane and Can Ya Makan have accumulated some terrific wins in their five years together, including the CSI5* Manama Rose Show Stakes at Royal Windsor, the Negrita Cup at the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, Keysoe’s CSI2* grand prix and the British speed classic at the Royal International Horse Show in 2018, but “it was never the plan to go and do Derbies with him” says Shane.

The turning point came when they finished third in the 2017 speed Derby at Dublin Horse Show – a class he won the following year – and Shane then began to train Can Ya Makan over dykes and banks in preparation for a Derby.

Can Ya Makan – one of the yard favourites

According to Shane, Can Ya Makan is one of the easiest horses on the yard.

“He’s a lot of blood, so work at home is just about keeping him fit – he goes out twice a day, he’ll go out on hacks and he’ll do a bit of flatwork, but because he’s so good at flatwork, it’s not hard work for him, it’s easy,” reveals Shane. “When I’m away, because he’s so nice to ride, it’s very easy for the lads to work him.”

His groom Ellen Peters adds: “He’s got such a big personality and loves attention. If you go in the stable with him, he puts his ears back and if you don’t know him you’d think he was a bit dangerous but as soon as you give him a little scratch or a cuddle, he drops his neck and the ears go forward and he’ll say, ‘Hi, how are you?’ Everyone loves him and we have a lot of stallions so, although we have to be careful with them obviously, they just get on with life and fit in.

“He’s a really special horse – he’s beautiful and he knows it!”

So close to winning the Hamburg Derby – twice

“In 2019 I brought him to Hamburg and was double clear and finished second in the Derby – the last one in [German rider Nisse Luneburg] pipped me in the jump-off!” remembers Shane. “But he jumped amazing there.

“This year in Hamburg he was jumping fantastic once again but just had a little slip at the double and didn’t quite take off; it fell apart a bit after that which was a real shame because a clear round would have won. He could have had two Derbies this year!”

Third time lucky in the Hickstead Derby

Shane has had several brushes with victory in the Hickstead Derby over the years. He tied for third place with his future wife Chloe Bunn in 2005 and in 2019 he jumped one of three clears on Golden Hawk to finish third. Can Ya Makan, too, had previously completed with Shane, finishing on eight faults in 2019 and four faults in 2018 when the pair were placed third. The duo also won the Derby trial at Hickstead in 2018.

“He just had the balustrade down in his first time in the Derby in 2018,” says Shane. “In 2019 it was just the dry ditch and the fence going into the dyke.

“He was looking at the dry ditch in 2018 too, so I had to come at it with a lot of pace, then went six strides to the balustrade which then fell.”

After a quiet year or two during the pandemic, during which the in-demand stallion was busy breeding, he came out at the start of 2022 jumping in the United Arab Emirates before finishing fifth in the Le Touquet Derby and taking in the Hamburg Derby en route to his winning tilt at Hickstead.

“The focus wasn’t Friday’s Derby trial and he had the white gate down behind, he was just a bit unlucky,” says Shane. “Then Sunday was really, really enjoyable – he was just perfect.”

A family affair – and some divine intervention

Shane follows in the footsteps of his two-time Hickstead Derby winning brother Trevor Breen, who was on team duties for Ireland in Rotterdam over the Hickstead Derby weekend, but was one of the first people to ring to congratulate the new title-holder. Shane also credited some divine intervention after his lucky rub at the dry ditch.

“I think my mother and Douglas Bunn were looking down, and held the pole for me,” he says.

A FaceTime call from the Hickstead Derby prize-giving

Groom Ellen Peters has been working for Shane for three years and one of the first shows she took Can Ya Makan to was Royal Windsor in 2019 where he won the speed class. She has been there for most of their great triumphs since – except the Hickstead Derby…

“Unfortunately I wasn’t there on Derby day because I was at Carl Hanley’s in Germany with the horses heading to Monaco,” says Ellen. “I was sitting looking at it on the phone crying my eyes out.

“I was delighted for the team though, because normally I get to be with Shane when he wins, so it was fantastic for them all to be there and see it.

“When Canya came into the ring, he looked stunning, the shine was really coming off his coat and I thought ‘Could we be lucky here?’ My heart was in my mouth the whole way round the course.

“When he went down the bank and jumped the vertical I thought ‘Oh God, I think he’s got this’ – that was the only one I was worried about, because anything can happen at the bank. He just flew round and the more the crowd clapped, the bigger he jumped. And then I cried – a lot. Then, when Dermott Lennon had the fence down, I cried even more!”

Laura Arkle, manager of Team Z7, was with Shane and Can Ya Makan when she FaceTimed Ellen from the prize-giving ceremony.

“Canya looked like he was loving every minute of it, saying ‘I should be here every week!’,” says Ellen.

“Sunday was just unbelievable – we’re still on a high!” adds Laura.

Don’t miss the full Derby report in this week’s issue of H&H (in the shops Thursday, 30 June) and we go behind the stable door with Can Ya Makan in our “In the spotlight” series in next week’s issue, out Thursday, 7 July.

‘We all deserved to win and thankfully it was my day’: Shane Breen takes emotional Hickstead Derby win

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 17:12:50 +0000

Shane Breen said winning his first Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby title was one of the highlights of his stellar career, adding that all four riders on the podium deserved to win “and luckily, thankfully, it was my day today”.

Shane and Can Ya Makan jumped the only clear, only the 65th clear in 60 years of this class, with Harriet Biddick (A Touch Imperious), Carlos Eduardo Mota Ribas (Jella Van’T Kathof) and Dermott Lennon (Gelvins Touch) in equal second, with Shane’s second ride Golden Hawk, on four faults apiece.

“I’m delighted for Golden Hawk,” he said. “In 2019, we jumped clear and then were unlucky in the jump-off; he’s been an amazing horse for me, and I’d have loved either of them to win, but it was Can Ya Makan today, and he’s again been a fantastic horse for me.

“I feel for Harriet as she’s been second so many times; she’s jumped clear or had one down but been the bridesmaid, but she will be back. He’s an Irish horse; he’s tough.”

Shane added that Can Ya Makan had been a bit “suspicious” at one point in the class, towards a fence he had had down before, but although the 16-year-old gave it a rub, it stayed put.

“I think my mother and Douglas Bunn were looking down, and holding the pole down for me,” he said, adding that he had been overwhelmed by the support he has had; family and friends there cheering him on, and brother Trevor, a previous Hickstead Derby winner, ringing from Rotterdam with congratulations.

“People have kept saying this has to be my year and I’ve said it’s been my year for the last 15 years!” he said. “It’s nothing about the money, it’s a class that everyone tunes into, at home in Ireland and around the world. I used to think when I was 80, I’d come down with a zimmer frame and an old horse and jump round, but I won’t have to do that now!”

Shane said even winning the grand prix at Dublin, on the home turf where he had been inspired to be a showjumper, compared to this.

“When I jumped the last with Can Ya Makan, something inside me went,” he said. “I got a bit emotional. All these guys here; we all deserved to win, and luckily, thankfully, it was my day today. It’s just fantastic to get it done.”

It was heartbreak for Harriet, who again won the speed Derby yesterday (25 June) on Silver Lift but was denied the chance to take on Shane in a jump-off by her superstar 18-year-old campaigner’s foot in the water. This was the fifth time the combination had finished second in the Hickstead Derby, and they have also come third twice.

Harriet Biddick riding A Touch Imperious in the Al Shira'aa Derby during the Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting CSI 4* held at Hickstead Show Ground in Hassocks near Haywards Heath in Sussex in the UK, on the 26th June 2022 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

“If you’d told me before he’d won the Derby trial and come second in the Derby, I’d have taken it, but it is bittersweet,” she said. “I’m absolutely chuffed with him; two years off and he’s come back to jump as amazing as he just did; I couldn’t have asked any more from him.”

Harriet added that all other things being equal, another attempt next year is not off the cards.

“He feels as amazing as ever and we’ve just got to keep going,” she said. “I don’t know but the way he jumped today; not definitely but if he feels like this, then yes. Unless anything stops us, that’s what I will be aiming for.”

Dermott said Gelvins Touch had a “bit of a boo boo” in the Hamburg Derby this year, slipping and falling on the bank in wet conditions. The horse then had a “nervy moment” on the bank today, rolling the pole of the fence immediately afterwards.

“But the rest of it he was really, really good,” he said.

Carlos, who also finished second in the speed Derby on Trix, said in yesterday’s press conference that he would be sitting in Shane’s seat today.

“I think I didn’t say it with enough conviction,” the Brazilian rider joked. “I should have hit the table, so the universe knew.

“I’m very happy to be here. I’ve been sixth in the Derby twice, and twice I’ve fallen off, and once I was eliminated, so I’m improving!”

Carlos added that he has heard some say Hickstead is old-fashioned.

“I totally disagree,” he said. “The crowd love it, they know the course, everyone enjoys it. The Hickstead Derby isn’t dying, it will start to live

again.“It’s a class that should live to eternity, and I will keep doing it. As long as I live, I’ll be here.”

British-bred stallions dominate in Hickstead’s derby tankard

Sarah Radford — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 18:08:06 +0000

Shane Breen’s nine-year-old championship prospect Vistogrand topped a vanguard of British-bred stallions who claimed the top three placings in Thursday’s (23 June) derby tankard at the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby meeting.

The Fantaland x Mr Visto son, who was bred by Carron Nicol, snatched a hairs-breadth 0.06sec lead from first-to-jump Rob Whitaker and the striking nine-year-old black stallion Vermento.

Seven combinations jumped clear round the derby tankard’s 1.50m track but only five elected to come forward for the jump off.

Third place went to Adam Botham and Barbara Hester’s 10-year-old stallion Arge, who delivered the fastest round but had an unfortunate pole at the first fence. Both Arge and Vermento are by Argento and were bred by John and Clare Whitaker.

Vistogrand is no stranger to grass but was making his first competitive appearance in Hickstead’s main arena. His win was a promising preparation for next month’s Royal International.

“The plan for this week was to put him in the eye of the chef d’equipe for a possible squad place for the nations cup,” said Shane. “If he doesn’t make the team, then we’ll aim him for the King George.”

The stallion has gained experience jumping at the top level this year, with solid performances on the Global Champions Tour in Mexico, Hamburg and Rome. Last week, he took a win on British soil in the international trial at South of England.

“He’s had a good year and was super in Hamburg and at Windsor, where I made a mistake in the grand prix. He’s a really, really smart horse,” Shane said.

The win was a strong start to the Hickstead-based Irishman’s Derby campaign this year. Shane, who is married to Chloe [Bunn], will have a double-shot at this year’s Derby — a title which has so far eluded him — riding Golden Hawk and Can Ya Makan.

“It would be nice to get the monkey off my back. The two of them are on great form, so I’ll do my best on the day,” he said. “Both of them deserve to win and it’s the best chance I’ve ever had.”

‘I have a lot to thank Shane Breen for’: meet the young Irishman soaring to the top of the sport

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 13:02:48 +0000

Young Irish rider Jack Ryan is one of the hottest talents on the showjumping circuit right now and the 20-year-old enjoyed a great start to 2022, finishing runner-up in the World Cup qualifier in Sharjah, UAE, and most recently competed in the five-star classes at The Dutch Masters in Den Bosch.

“I would like to keep the year going in the same way that it started!” says Jack. “Hopefully I will compete at a few more Nations Cup competitions and more Rolex Grand Slam Majors.

Jack was based at Hickstead for two years with Shane Breen but recently moved to Belgium to train with 2006 world champion and Olympic gold medallist Jos Lansink and he is part of the prestigious Rolex Young Riders Academy.

“That opportunity [to train with Jos] came about through the Rolex Young Riders Academy,” explains Jack. “Usually, I start at 7.30am and ride [my horse] BBS McGregor, and the rest of the day I ride Jos’s horses. I am riding so many different horses, it has been great and so nice to get to know the whole team. It’s a very exciting opportunity.

“I was with Shane Breen for two-years, and I learnt so much from him. I got to ride some amazing horses and go to some incredible shows. It was actually with help from him that I got into the Rolex Young Riders Academy – I have a lot to thank him for.”

Another inspiration in Jack’s career has been German legend Marcus Ehning.

“He is one of the best in the world and is so amazing to watch,” says Jack. “When he won the recent grand Prix in Doha, he made it look like it was a training round – he is incredible.”

Jack’s top horse is his long-time partner BBS McGregor, an Irish-bred 10-year-old.

“He has a great personality. Sometimes he can be a bit annoying as he always pokes your arm, but he is a very kind horse and lovely to have on the yard,” says Jack.

Talking about his first experience at the prestigious five-star Dutch Masters earlier this month, Jack says: “It’s fantastic! I would like to thank the Rolex Young Riders Academy and everyone who helped me get into the show. Everyone in the Rolex Young Riders Academy have helped me so much. Frank Kemperman, Eleonora Ottaviani, Emile Hendrix and the whole team have been so amazing to me.”

With thanks to Rolex Grand Slam

Breen brothers land a remarkable hat-trick

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 17:50:19 +0000

Irish showjumping brothers Trevor and Shane Breen racked up an impressive grand prix double at the CSIO5*/2* President of the UAE Showjumping Cup in Abu Dhabi (20-23 January), the pair also uniting to help Ireland triumph in the opening leg of the Longines FEI Nations Cup series.

Shane’s five-star grand prix victory came with the 14-year-old stallion Z7 Ipswich (pictured), then Trevor piloted Mandy Hall’s 10-year-old son of Catwalk IV, Toyger, to top spot in Saturday’s two-star equivalent, the fastest of only two double clears.

In Sunday’s Nations Cup, the brothers returned with Trevor swapping on to Highland President. They were joined by former Breen Equestrian riders David Simpson, with his Bolesworth grand prix winner Foudre F, and 20-year-old Jack Ryan with his home-bred BBS McGregor to win on a team score of zero, with David and Jack both producing double clears. Just one fence separated the Irish from the second-placed UAE home team, sealing a truly remarkable hat-trick for the Breens.

“The UAE really kept the pressure on us,” said Irish chef d’equipe Michael Blake. “I wouldn’t have dreamt this morning that it would take six clear rounds to win it!

“We’ve competed here four times and had three second-place finishes, but I felt this competition was ours to lose today and that we were the best team here, although I didn’t see the UAE coming as strong as they did — it just shows how showjumping is developing in this region.”

Co. Kilkenny rider Jack Ryan was competing in just his second senior Nations Cup. He announced last week that he was departing Breen Equestrian, where he has been based for two years, to embark on a new stage in his glittering career.

“He was on the winning team in Vilamoura [Portugal] last year so he’s now made it two wins out of two — that’s impressive!” said Michael. “I was at my first championship with Jack when he was just 11 years old competing in children-on-horses, and it’s extra special that he is riding a home-bred horse here today.”

Jack’s BBS McGregor, by Cardento, has recovered from a serious injury.

“As a yearling he got very sick because we think he was kicked in the head by another horse when out in the field,” said Jack. “He fell apart physically and we couldn’t figure out what was wrong with him — he was just fading away. But he had a lump on his nose and when it was X-rayed it seems that a tooth went up through the roof of his mouth when he was kicked and he couldn’t eat because of the pain.

“He’s so much better now and it’s great to see him doing so well and enjoying himself in the ring.”

Great Britain only fielded three riders but they managed to finish third. Flying the flag was another Hickstead-based rider, Georgia Tame (Z7 Ascot), who was joined by William Funnell (Equine America Billy Diamo) and pathfinder Donald Whitaker (Di Caprio) who, jumping in his first five-star Nations Cup, produced an exceptional double clear over Alan Wade’s track to claim a share of the €50,000 for the five partnerships who maintained a zero score.

“I was really proud of the three riders today, they dug deep, showing their determination and qualities for the future,” said British chef d’equipe Di Lampard.

UAE and fifth-placed Saudi Arabia have now qualified for the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona in October.

“I think our best score here before was 17 faults so today’s result was really great!” said UAE team rider Abdullah Mohammed Al Marri. “We are aiming two teams for events this year – one for the Asian Games and one for the Longines Final and of course today’s competition is also a qualifier for the World Championships so it has been a great experience for all of us!”

John Whitaker and Shane Breen clear 1.75m to win HOYS spectacular

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 10 Oct 2021 16:57:55 +0000

John Whitaker on Sharid and Shane Breen on Vistogrand both cleared 1.75m to win the HOYS five-fence challenge, in a display of the highest-class riding.

Only three of 15 starters made it the the fourth and final round of jumping, by which time the fences were all at least 1.70m, the final vertical at 1.75.

Asked how much scope his 12-year-old ride has, John answered: “Well, we know he can jump 1.75m!”

Jean-Paul Ruis, St Jean La Poterie and HH Prince Torki bin Mohammed Al’s Selle Francais gelding also cleared well over 2m to win a six-bar in France last September.

“So we know he can jump high, he’s a really good horse,” John said. “The problem at the moment has been control a bit; he likes to fight you, but we’ve just kept working on it and he’s really improving. He’s so quick, and obviously he can jump, and I think next year he can jump some grands prix as he’s improving.”

Shane Breen riding Vistogrand winners of Class 18, Five Fence Challenge, during the Horse of the Year Show held at the NEC in Birmingham in UK between 6 -10th October 2021 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

John said one issue with some horses at this show, although not this one, is that they are not used to crowd noise, having had so long without it.

“Some horses, like Milton, get better with the atmosphere and noise, but the one I’m riding in the grand prix tonight, it does a bit,” he said. “They’re not used to it at the moment because of Covid.”

John has been competing at HOYS for 50 years, and he said this year’s show is special.

“Last night’s atmosphere was unbelievable,” he said. “The first class was great but the puissance was fantastic.

“I had felt the show had been dwindling a bit but this year, it’s been absolutely top.”

Shane’s ride, Carron Nicol and Breen Equestrian’s eight-year-old gelding, was faultless throughout all four rounds, staying as calm and rhythmical as the fences increased 30cm from their start height.

John will follow up his HOYS five-fence challenge win with a ride on Unick Du Francport in tonight’s grand prix, while Shane will bring forward Lady Star van Dorperheide.

Lockdown living: the highs and lows of life at home with top riders during the pandemic H&H Plus

Horse & Hound — Sat, 30 May 2020 08:00:22 +0000

What’s it like living with an elite athlete grounded by the abandonment of all sport? H&H asks the partners of top riders how they are coping with lockdown...

Rebecca Hughes, wife of Team GBR dressage rider Gareth

A few years ago, I bought Gareth a guitar for his birthday, but he’s never had time to touch it – until now. Every afternoon he takes himself off into a different room to learn to play. Initially our young cat would run away from him when he picked it up and gave it a strum, but she’s stopped doing that now, so he must be improving!

He’s also been mowing the lawn as often as he can – Gareth is a homebody generally, so while it has been disappointing not to be working towards the Tokyo Olympics, he has been able to enjoy this rather strange break.

He tends to be grumpy when it’s cold and happy when the sun’s out, and luckily it has been mostly great weather.

He’s the one who usually goes out to Tesco to do the shopping – he tells me I don’t do it properly because I don’t go up and down every aisle. He very much likes the fact that there is now a one-way system in the supermarket as that was how he has always done it!

Chloe Breen, wife of Irish team showjumper Shane Breen

Hickstead is a unique habitat with around 20 of us, including the lads, living in one household, so I call it our self-isolation bubble. The priority has been trying to keep everyone safe, but it’s pretty much been business as usual and we haven’t gone too stir-crazy.

Our eldest daughters have been diligent with their schoolwork, but as for the two younger boys… They’ve been doing some veterinary work – they now know how to spot an embryo through a microscope and how to castrate yearlings. But they’ve seen more of Shane in the past seven weeks than they have in 13 years and Shane is loving it too – he keeps threatening to retire!

It’s been really valuable for Shane just to stop and take stock of the business. He’s been running a mini Global Champions Tour every week over very restrained heights, with the kids joining in, and Steven Wilde even sent us some commentary. We start with the individual qualifier, then the team competition and the grand prix, and our daughter Lorna is currently leading the rankings.

Shane and I have taken up daily yoga and he’s really feeling the benefit – he couldn’t touch his toes at the beginning and now he’s performing shoulder stands and headstands.

One person goes out every week to do all the shopping and the local Chinese restaurant has just started doing takeaways again, so we’re delighted about that. It’s been a challenge and cashflow is a nightmare, as I’m sure it is for everyone, but the lads have been amazing, we have some very loyal owners and we’re really enjoying this family time.

Simon Souster, husband of showing producer Ella Souster

For me, lockdown has been a big change as I’m a mechanic and my garage has been closed. It’s almost as if I’ve become Ella’s employee and I now come home each day smelling of horses.

While I do usually go to shows, I’ve always maintained that I’m the fixer; if anything needs fixing – such as the lorry – that’s my job. But I’ve learnt a lot spending more time at the yard, such as how to put a headcollar on, hang up a haynet or put a horse in the field – Ella will just say, “That one goes over there,” and off I go.

I’ve also come to realise what an awful job filling haynets is, so to make it easier I built a stand to hold the net while you shove the hay in.

I sat on a horse for the first time in 20 years. Even though I’ve known Ella for so long I’ve never, ever been on board. We were nominated for the loo roll challenge so I sat on one called Flossy (Hot Gossip).

We’ve been having movie nights in the evenings with the kids, Lexi, who’s four, and Xander, two. The kids love the ponies and have been learning lots, too. Xander has a pony called Herbie whom he likes to feed and give lots of kisses; he gets up early with Ella to go and see him. Lexi is also getting her riding in.

Melissa Whitaker, wife of showjumping multi-medallist Michael

Enjoying it is the wrong word, but Michael has been coping with lockdown pretty well – he’s been tootling around on his tractor, fixing fencing and that sort of thing. We’re nowhere near the end of the “to-do” list yet, though.

The top horses are out in the field so Michael’s loving the chance to work on the young ones and the trickier ones which, being away so much, he doesn’t usually have time for.

Our youngest daughters Katy and Molly are due to sit their GCSEs and A levels next year so they’ve been cracking on with their work – luckily I don’t have to do any more than check up on them occasionally. Our eldest son Jack is here with us, too. We had to furlough some grooms but we still have three girls on the yard. We’re pretty isolated anyway, so it’s a lovely little unit.

I have had to be a lot more creative with my cooking though with five adults to feed every day – and the boys are used to hotel food while they’re away competing, so they’re demanding starters, main courses, desserts, the works!

Michael and I have been glued to The Last Kingdom on Netflix, which has been a nice change. And I think for only the third time since I’ve known him, Michael actually went shopping – he was going that stir-crazy he offered to get the groceries. He couldn’t get over the banality and the price of it all though, so I don’t think he’ll be offering again soon…

Tom March, husband of Piggy, last year’s Badminton winner

Piggy has a few new rides this season – the advanced horses Dargun and Fonbherna Lancer, as well as two seven-year-olds – so in a way it’s been great to do a few events and then work with them at home again. However, we’re now getting to the stage where we’d like to go and test them in a competition environment.

The hard part of losing events is losing your target, so it’s a case of keeping motivated and having a plan of what you want to try to achieve with each horse.

There are certainly positives as well as the obvious negatives – Piggy is more relaxed than she would usually be with high pressure competitions such as Badminton.

We have six live-in staff and, with more time, we’ve made a conscious effort to help them more, giving them pointers and holding in-house dressage competitions.

We’re also spending more time with our son Max, who will be four at the end of July. Piggy is the chef – in normal times and lockdown – but I make a conscious effort to help with tidying up and washing up.

We’ve caught up on Killing Eve, but we’re not big TV watchers. I always watch a lot of online videos for breeding research and Piggy has watched some of the old Badminton and Burghley highlights shows.

Victoria de Sousa, wife of three-time champion Flat jockey Silvestre de Sousa

Silvestre is definitely getting bored in lockdown and has now broken the lawnmower through overuse, but he is keeping himself busy doing some fencing and landscaping. He’s been very relaxed but I can tell he’s starting to get itchy feet.

We’ve been together for 15 years and have three children, but we have never spent this much time together because he is one of the busiest Flat jockeys and is always racing.

To keep ourselves entertained we have been trying some TikTok challenges including the “koala”, where I climb over his shoulders and back through his legs without touching the ground. It’s particularly impressive considering Silvestre is smaller than me.

We’ve watched a lot of Netflix, including Money Heist and Wanted, and Silvestre has been out riding the young horses we have in daily. I’ve come to realise how clean he is, but he does also easily lose things and he has no idea where anything is kept in the house.

He tells me not to drink and smoke so much – perhaps he’s discovering my bad habits instead of me discovering his! He cooks a great steak and fish on the barbecue, plus some amazing Brazilian dishes.

James Davies, partner of showing producer Sam Roberts

Sam’s day-to-day routine has been pretty normal. She is outside most of the day trotting around in circles and going on the occasional hack. I am on furlough so will be collared to lend a hand when a fence needs fixing – which is at least once a week – or the pony bus needs looking at. I also seem to fix a lot of jumps as she keeps crashing into them; I can’t work out if it’s the pony or the driver’s fault.

If there is a feed delivery, I am the human forklift. I will sometimes help get the ponies in from the field and change their shin pads. Some can be a little feisty but I manage.

At the moment it’s like having two Sams around as her mother, Suzie, is never far away. If I get away from one, the other will soon find me.

The weekends are a bit strange as Sam is usually away showing. On Friday evenings I’d got used to seeing the ponies with their Mexican wrestler headgear on and their legs wrapped up like mummies.

As I can’t go shooting or fishing at the weekends, I have rearranged Sam’s belts and badges cabinet. I tell her she needs to win a few more big flowery ones before she can have a new cabinet; I think she’s been slacking.

In the evenings, I usually talk to the dog as Sam will be on social media catching up with horsey friends. Facebook is constant and on Tuesdays I will disappear when Holby City is on.

Lucy McCarthy, wife of Irish event rider Padraig, world silver medallist

After the initial serious black cloud, Padraig has adjusted to lockdown well. Our three children – Moss is five, Gus 20 months and Mimi eight months – are really fun to be around. Padraig doesn’t usually get to see much of them, but now he rides in the mornings and then does stuff with the kids and odd jobs.

Moss has started school but he’s quite advanced, so as long as he reads every day I’m not beating myself up about home schooling.

I’m quite anti-social. I miss going to the pub occasionally, but otherwise I love lockdown – which is an awful thing to say as so many people are suffering, but I’m enjoying having time as a family. Also, Padraig is doing the jobs I’ve been nagging him to do for ages. We live on a 170-acre farm and have our breeding programme, so there is plenty to do.

Padraig made me a raised vegetable bed for my birthday and he’s made a platform, bridge and slide for the kids. That’s his idea of gardening: bolting bits of wood together and sticking them in the ground. The extent of his green fingeredness is that he put together a living willow den. He did a magnificent job – though I did buy all the bits.

On Saturday nights we have a nice supper with the four live-in staff, lots of booze, cards and games such as Monopoly.

We live with my mum, Pippa. As she’s not in her first flush of youth, I am quite anxious about Covid-19 on her behalf and we’ll have to see how we operate when everything eases up a bit.

Fiona Johnson, wife of four-time champion jump jockey Richard

It’s been really nice having Richard at home during lockdown because I am so used to him being away racing seven days a week. He likes always to be busy and can’t really sit still, so he’s done a lot of tidying up outside.

We have been tag-teaming with the home-schooling of our three children. He goes out at 7am to do the horses and comes back in at 9am to help me with it – I do the English and he does the maths. The kids love having him at home, but he’ll be pleased to get back racing just to have a break!

Richard does a very good Sunday roast and has been perfecting his homemade Yorkshire puddings, but his gravy can be hit and miss. During lockdown, he’s been doing a roast every Sunday; it’s become his signature meal.

We’ve been watching Normal People on TV and some films, but don’t usually have much time in the evening once we’ve done the kids’ tea, put them to bed and then eaten ourselves.

We have two broodmares in at the moment who have foaled, plus some breakers, youngstock and the kids’ ponies. There is also 15-year-old terrier Jimmy, Labrador Hector and four chickens, so we’re enjoying some fresh eggs.

Darren Hicks, husband of Team GBR dressage rider Spencer Wilton

“Spenny” and I are hardly ever at home together so the past few weeks have actually been quite nice. He’s mostly been spending time in his garden, doing whatever he does to his plants, and has also been doing lots of baking – I think he’s trying to feed me up! He has made lots of carrot cakes and more recently a chocolate cake, although he wasn’t happy with that one so it went straight in the bin, sadly.

We’ve ended up watching a lot of The Great British Bake Off as well, which I haven’t been too happy about, but we have also watched Tiger King – like the rest of the world.

I’d say I’m quite a clean person, but not like Spenny. He’s stringent about cleaning, and has bought himself a steam cleaner so he can do the floors three times a day. The house looks like a show home!

We’ve been working out together at home, and we end up competing with each other – he definitely wins when it comes to core work.

Our other lockdown project has been to teach our French bulldog Percy how to swim so we’ve been going to the river during our walks. Luckily we haven’t had to go in and rescue him yet…

Ref Horse & Hound; 28 May 2020

‘He’d go through fire for you’: Final farewell to grand prix horse

Becky Murray — Sat, 09 May 2020 06:03:03 +0000

Tributes have been paid to the “incredibly spooky” but “life-changing” grand prix horse, World Cruise, who showjumper Shane Breen credits for helping his career.

The gelding by Cruising, out of Curragh Queen, died on 4 May in the field aged 25.

“Cruise” was owned by the Duffy family, and Shane took on the ride of the then-eight-year-old in early 2003.

“I remember when Vinnie Duffy dropped Cruise off, he said to me ‘he’s a bit spooky’ and to take my time with him but he said ‘I guarantee he’ll be a top grand prix horse,’” Shane told H&H.

Shane said at first he wasn’t sure if the partnership was going to work out, as the gelding had a stop at their first show together – but they continued competing during the summer and were jumping grand prix by the end of the year.

The combination enjoyed multiple Nations Cup appearances but it was the 2006 Aga Khan Cup at the Dublin Horse Show that stands out as a “major highlight” for Shane after the pair’s double clear.

“The Aga Khan – it’s home. Everybody who has anything to do with horses is at the Dublin Horse Show,” said Shane. “From a rider’s point of view mentally there’s a real build-up, then to go in to the silence of the crowd in that arena is deafenining. When you go clear it’s just amazing; it’s the best feeling in the world – the whole equestrian community in Ireland is behind you 100%.”

“As I went past the stand [after Cruise’s second clear round] I punched the air; he spooked, spun round and nearly had me on the floor – it could have been embarrassing!”

The combination were part of the Irish team at the 2006 World Championships in Aachen, where the team finished sixth. In 2010 Shane and Cruise won the Bunn Leisure Trophy at Hickstead, and picked up a top-10 placing in the King George V gold cup.

Shane said the gelding remained “incredibly spooky” all his life.

“I suppose it’s what made him as a good as he was in some ways; he was always careful, alert and watching everything,” he said.

“At the World Championships I trotted in the ring and I couldn’t get him near a particular wing and thought ‘how am I going to jump this?’ But the thing was, once he turned to jump, he locked on and he jumped. He was a real character, he was as tough as nails and he’d go through fire for you. He would prick his ears and say ‘come on I’ll look after you’.

“His best performances were on the biggest stages; Aachen, Dublin, Hickstead – he knew the big shows and he was incredible.”

Cruise later was ridden by Vinnie’s sons Alex and Michael Duffy, retiring from competition sound in 2015. In 2017 the gelding went to a friend of the Duffy family, Tiernan Gill, where he spent the rest of his days acting as a nanny for younger horses.

Article continued below…

(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

‘Her life will be at risk’: Mother of showjumper pleads for vital healthcare

(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Dressage and showjumping’s plans to restart their sports

‘While it is important to stress that this will only be when it’s safe to do so and in line

(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

“He had taken us around the world and done so much with Shane, Alex and Michael. He was a lovely horse,” said Vinnie.

Shane added he still often thinks of what he learnt from Cruise.

“He was a life-changing horse. Every other day I think of him when I’m schooling a horse, he’ll pop into my mind. He had his funny little ways, so when I have horses with similarities I think ‘what did I do with Cruise?’ so for my career he’s been a great help.”

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‘I’d have won if my leg wasn’t broken!’ Top rider jumps clear with fractured fibula

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 15:31:41 +0000

Hickstead-based Irish showjumper Shane Breen finished fifth in a 1.45m five-star showjumping class in Saint-Tropez on Thursday (12 September) — only finding out later that he’d been riding with a broken leg.

Shane, who turns 45 today (16 September), had been warming up the 10-year-old mare Evita when the accident happened at the Longines Global Champions Tour event in the South of France.

“As I passed the horse in front he swished his tail and my one [Evita] just spooked a bit to the left,” Shane told H&H. “My leg connected with the hip bone of an oncoming horse — and obviously his hip was stronger than my leg!”

“I’d have won the class if my leg wasn’t broken!” he added.

According to Shane, it felt “a bit more sore than normal” so he jumped off the mare for a bit as there was still plenty of time before it was his turn to go in the ring.

“We’ve often had bumps and things so I just got back on and finished warming up,” explained Shane. “It felt particularly sore when I was landing over the jumps and not getting any easier, but I just thought ‘Come on, toughen up!” and I went in to the ring and jumped.”

He returned a fast double clear over the two-phase track with Evita, a relatively new ride for Shane, before heading to the show’s medics “just to get it checked out.”

“They got me to the hospital pretty quick to get some X-rays done, knowing I only had an hour and a half until the next class,” said Shane. “But they said ‘No, you won’t be jumping any more this week!’ I’d broken by fibula.

“The good news is that the bone hasn’t moved — it’s just a nice clean crack so everything should heal very quickly.”

Having booked a whole row of seats to fly home from Saint-Tropez — “It was the most comfortable flight I’ve ever had with EasyJet!” — Shane is hoping to be back competing at the Longines Global Champions Tour in New York at the end of next week (27 to 29 September).

“I’ll know nearer the end of this week if that’s going to be possible,” Shane said. “Ideally you’d give it three or four weeks but hopefully it’ll be comfortable enough for me to ride.

Continues below…

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Eventer completes Blenheim ERM with broken neck

The rider thought the pain and numbness she had been feeling since a fall at Millstreet were due to a

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Keen to improve your horse’s jump? Shane Breen swears by this simple exercise

The Irish showjumper takes us through a step-by-step guide to an exercise designed to get the most out of your

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

“I’m not saying it’s not going to be painful, but if I’m comfortable and I’m not a risk to myself, the horse or anybody else, I’ll definitely do it. I’m not going to be stupid though, and if there’s any question of risk I won’t do it.”

To aid the healing process, Shane is wearing a surgical boot, has been regularly icing the leg and has even been using one of his horses’ circulation rugs.

“I have a Bemer rug that comes with an attachment that goes on the horse’s leg, so I have that on as we speak,” said Shane. “It’s definitely helping — it’s all to do with blood circulation, which is obviously the main component to healing, so all in all it feels good and it’s basically just a case of resting it.

“And it’s not often I have a day off on my birthday!”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

‘My mum was looking down on me at that fence’: Irish rider on home grand prix win

Jennifer Donald — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 06:02:03 +0000

Hickstead-based Irishman Shane Breen won the Longines grand prix at Dublin Horse Show on Sunday (11 August) with the 11-year-old Ipswich Van De Wolfsakker as the quickest of just three double clears after a seven-way jump-off.

But it could have been a very different story, after he escaped with a lucky rub of a rail as he headed for home.

“My mum passed away about six years ago — I gave the third to last fence a decent rub, but when it stayed put I knew she was looking down on me,” said 44-year-old Shane, who was second in this prestigious class in 2016.

“I’ve been knocking on the door, but you do wonder when you’ll ever get it done,” added Shane. “For me, this is as good as a medal — it means everything.”

This was the first time since 2014 that a home rider has lifted the grand prix trophy — which comes with a staggering €115,500 (£106,760) first prize — in Dublin.

The runner-up spot went to Scott Brash riding the 10-year-old Hello Jefferson, with whom the British rider had jumped double clear in Friday’s Nations Cup to help his country lift the Aga Khan trophy for the first time since 2013.

Continues below…

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Brilliant Brits win Dublin Nations Cup and secure final qualification: ‘We were confident and delivered’

Britain finished on a zero score in today’s Aga Khan to trounce their rivals and secure qualification for the Nations

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Keen to improve your horse’s jump? Shane Breen swears by this simple exercise

The Irish showjumper takes us through a step-by-step guide to an exercise designed to get the most out of your

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Italy claimed third on the grand prix podium courtesy of Lorenzo de Luca riding Dinky Toy V. Kranenburg, who produced the slowest of the double clears.

All the remaining jump-off riders — Susan Fitzpatrick (Fellow Castlefield), Richard Howley (Chinook), Ben Maher (Tic Tac) and Steve Guerdat (Venard De Cerisy) — set times quicker than Shane Breen but each came home on four faults. Unusually at this level, Ben and Steve recorded the exact same time against the clock to share sixth place honours.

Don’t miss the full report from Dublin Horse Show in this week’s Horse & Hound, out Thursday 15 August.

Shane Breen’s Hickstead breeding operation: take a sneak peek around the impressive set-up

Hannah Lemieux — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 17:35:50 +0000

Top Irish showjumper Shane Breen has been building up his breeding operation over the past decade or so at his Hickstead base in West Sussex. The stud has around 50 horses, from foals and youngstock to mares and stallions, with Shane using his own stallions when he can. He runs the stud alongside his successful showjumping yard with the help of stud manager Greg Le Gear, who oversees the day-to-day running of the breeding operation.

The stable yards

One of the yards (Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

One of the quaint yards at Shane Breen’s stud at the famous venue Hickstead, where he runs a breeding operation alongside his competition horses.

An immaculate tackroom

2nd tack room (Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Everything has its place in one of the very organised tackrooms at Breen Equestrian.

The impressive horsewalker

Horse walker (Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

A huge undercover horsewalker in the middle of the yard, with a useful sand ring at its centre which was, up until last year, used to break the youngsters in — called in jest the “break-on championships” by Greg Le Gear, because of the tally of tumbles each rider kept. Now, Shane sends his young horses over to Ireland to be broken in by Joe Sharkey because of the growing number of horses he now has at Hickstead.

Butter wouldn’t melt

Yearlings in barn (Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

A trio of Shane’s adorable youngsters — the mares, foals, yearlings and youngstock are kept separately from the stallions and showjumping horses, a stone’s throw from Hickstead. Shane and his wife, Chloe, purchased a small farm where the yearlings bed down in one of the large barns, while the two- and three-year-olds are turned out in the extensive acreage.

In the barn

Shane Breen and yearlings in barn (Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Shane chats to one of the yearlings, all of whom are stabled together in the former cattle barn on fresh, cosy straw.

Happy out

2 and 3 year olds in field (Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Shane’s home-bred two- and three-year-olds enjoy the sunshine while turned out in the extensive acreage in West Sussex.

The wash down

One of the yards with wash bays (Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Back in the main yard, two of Shane’s showjumpers are tacked up in the “wash-down area” ahead of the morning’s jumping session.

The indoor school

Chloe and Beth (? not sure if names are right) in the indoor school (Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

The masterpiece at Breen Equestrian is the impressive and spacious indoor school, where a course of jumps is usually set up and fellow Irish showjumper, David Simpson, often comes for sessions with Shane.

High flying

Colmar (Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

One of the stud’s up-and-coming stallions, Colmar, a nine-year-old by Colestus — ridden above by Shane’s stable jockey Georgia Tame.

A space for the stallions

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

There are stallion pens located away from the hustle and bustle of the competition yard, where the stallions can enjoy some quiet space to stretch their legs.

Don’t miss part two of our ‘Sport horse breeding special’ including H&H’s visit to Shane Breen’s stud at Hickstead in this week’s issue of Horse & Hound (11 April).

Britain and Ireland miss out on Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification in WEG jumping

Pippa Roome — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 21:46:44 +0000

Britain and Ireland both missed out on qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as the Bank of America Merrill Lynch-sponsored showjumping team competition finished this afternoon (Friday, 21 September) at the World Equestrian Games (WEG).

Britain finished in eighth. The lead-off horse, The Billy Stud’s Billy Buckingham, was tired today and had three fences down under William Funnell, plus a time-fault.

“Obviously it’s very disappointing, it’s not what we wanted,” said William. “It’s easy to make excuses but it’s not good enough.”

The next two rounds brought hope to Britain. Holly Smith hit top form with Hearts Destiny, who belongs to TJ Hall Limited, Holly and her husband Graham, and finished with just one time-fault.

“He was jumping the best he has all week and I let him down with the time-fault,” she said.

Amanda Derbyshire was over the moon to put in a clear for Britain with Gochman Sport Horse LLC’s Luibanta BH.

“I wasn’t nervous but I was a bit stressed because I knew every score counted after William and I didn’t want to let the team down,” she said.

William Whitaker stayed clear up to fence 11, but both that and fence 12 came down for him and Ludwig Criel’s Utamaro D’Ecaussines. Only a fault-free round would have pushed Britain up to sixth and secured the Tokyo 2020 ticket.

It was a similar story for Ireland, who finished seventh. Shane Sweetnam (Chaqui Z) had nine faults, with four apiece for Shane Breen (Ipswich Van De Wolfsakker), Paul O’Shea (Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu) and Cian O’Connor (Good Luck).

“I’m delighted for myself but we need clear rounds,” said Shane Breen. “I’d have liked to take a bit of pressure off the lads.”

Britain and Ireland will now have to try to qualify for the Olympics at next year’s European Championships.

Article continues below…

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(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Cian O’Connor and Good Luck at WEG 2018. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Keep up to date with all the news from Tryon on horseandhound.co.uk

Horse & Hound’s bumper magazine reports from WEG will be in the issues dated 20 September (dressage and eventing) and 27 September (showjumping and para dressage).

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James was “chuffed to bits” with his second place, on a horse who is also a home-bred.

“The only one I saw go was Shane before me and he was so fast, so smooth,” he said.

“To do that on a home-bred feels is amazing. Her half-owner Martin Dawes was here to watch today and it’s the only show he’s been to in a year, so it’s been a dream for him to see a home-bred horse do that today.

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Cato Boy: in the genes

“Cato Boy arrived in Dubai as a three-year-old and he was shown to his owner Nikki and he was absolutely the wrong horse for her to buy just because he was far too big, but she absolutely fell in love with him,” explained Shane.

“He’s a lovely character, he’s a bit playful and he bounces around with me sometimes, but it’s nice that he’s enjoying himself,” said Shane.

“I had Cato Boy in Arezzo for three weeks, he jumped very well down there. He’s in great form this year. He’s 10 now and he’s maturing, he’s giving me a really good feeling.

“He’s very fresh, which is a good way to have them, so now it’s just a case of getting a bit more experience in a few more rings, just to get him crafty in the ring.

“It’s great to be here in Windsor, it’s a fantastic show. To open our account with a win is always good, we just have to hope for a couple more wins!”

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“I had [eventual winner] Can Ya Makan and Golden Hawk last year. If you’d asked me, I’d have said Golden Hawk was the favourite. They’re great horses and it didn’t make a difference to me which one won because they’re both special to me. It was a great feeling.”

Now, when Shane walks round the main arena at Hickstead, his one thought is “Can I do it again?”

“It’s days like those that keep us going,” he says. “There are plenty of times you get beat and wonder when it’ll be your day. I suppose that’s why you appreciate these good days even more. You’ve got to enjoy it, as that’s what it’s all about.”

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“I like seeing the young ones improving and coming on, and she [BE Cuick One] tries really hard for me, which I like,” she explains. “Gait is quite hot and quite a blood horse, which I like – he tries really hard for me as well, he’s got such a big heart.”

Lauren is based about 20 minutes away from Hickstead and she started going to Shane for training while she was still on ponies.

As well as aiming for young riders in 2024, Lauren would like to do some of the big under-25 shows then “maybe in a few years a senior Nations Cup”, but she would also like to run a business on the side to help with the financial side of things.

“I’m very excited about it all,” she says. Watch this space.

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