Cian O’Connor, wins the Suzuki Grand Prix with ‘Kilkenny’

Beating off 9 other top combinations in the jump off, they had comfortable win in the first CSI3* of the II Andalucía October Tour

Laura Kraut and ‘Baloutinue’ took second place commenting that it was a good ‘schooling round’ and in third was Iván Serrano with ‘Rain Man’.

It was an Irish win today in the Suzuki Longines Ranking class here at Montenmedio from the capable hands of Cian O’Connor and his well known mount ‘Kilkenny’ who is by ‘Cardento 933’ and owned by Carol Gee. Cian told us that he loves to come and train and compete here at Montenmedio and is always delighted with the way the family invests continuously in the installations for both the horses and the riders comfort.  He told us that: ‘Kilkenny’ is a very special horse for him,  ‘and he came out beautifully today really demonstrating his ability to rebalance into the double’, also nailing the last roll-back turn to the second last fence, ‘then galloping forward and easily taking a stride out to the very last fence’. Stopping the clock in 39.35s. A beautiful round and a comprehensive win.

Last to go in this jump off of ten riders was another legendary rider Laura Kraut who was riding ‘Baloutinue’ (‘Balou de Rouet’ x ‘Landor S’) owned by ST. Bride’s Farm. They also jumped a beautiful round, without haste, but with very neat turns and finished close behind Cian, in 39.93 seconds taking second place.  Laura was extremely happy with the horse’s performance in the GP and is looking forward to the next classes with this lovely gelding.

In third place was one of our top Spanish riders Iván Serrano who stopped the clock in  40.39s with‘Rain Man’, who is by ‘Chacco-Blue’,dam sire ‘Pilot’, owned by Yeguada Valbanera.

Niamh Mcevoy was the second Irish rider in the top rankings and she took fourth place with ‘Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick’, these two have had a very good week here at the Tour as they also took third in the Hipotels Trophy class here on 14th.

It was also lovely to see the Polish rider Andrzej Oplatex taking 5th place with the gelding ‘Diaroubet’ (‘Diarado’ x ‘Baloubet du Rouet’). They jumped a super round today, just their second foray into the ring this week, as they also jumped a nice clear in the 1.45 class on the 13th.

Prizes were given by Juan López Frade, who is the President of Suzuki Ibérica, the sponsors of this class.

In the 1.40m class there was also a victory for Ireland, Cora Sharkey and ‘Lisboy Mermus’ took the top spot, closely followed by Laura Kraut with ‘Opaline Ter Goes’. Niamh Mcevoy was third in this class, this time with ‘Aconzina PS’, Spanish rider Borja Bidón Daurella was fourth with ‘Coach Cornet Z’ and top Swiss rider, Martin Fuchs was fifth with ‘Buttercup’.

Luca Moneta was our Italian winner in the 1.35m with ‘Jolie Coeur D’Avril’, After this the Spanish riders filled the results tables with Patricia Segura and ‘Valseuse de Terlong’ in second; Álvaro Castro Román with ‘Jub’ in third and again, Borja Bidón Daurella this time riding ‘Porsche 911 M’ in fourth. Niamh Mcevoy was fifth in this class with ‘Lisboy Louie’.

The top two places were British in the 1.25m class, Kayleigh Watts had another win today with ‘Whisper of Joy’ and it’s lovely to see Abbie Crippen back here in the Montenmedio arenas, taking second place today in this class with ‘Billy Kvitfjell’.  In the 1.10m, Kateryna Downer from the Urkraine, was once again on form and took the top two spots with ‘Ventera’ and Heissa’.

In the Young Horse classes Spanish Absolute Champion, Armando Trapote was the winner in the very competitive 7yr old class, riding  ‘Diabla PS’.  Armando finished in 64.94s with Mathew Sampson and ‘King Lepantino’ really breathing down his neck and taking second place by a whisper, in 64.95 seconds!! Kayleigh Watts was once more in the rosettes, in third place with ‘Aisling’.

There was also a Spanish win in the 6yr olds from José Fumero and ‘Granit de Conques’ who have had a really good week here. Luca Moneta and ‘Guchi Montdesir’ were second with Spanish rider Javier González Fraga and ‘Sonic JGF’, in third.

This was the last day of jumping here for the CSI3*, the first week of three that make up the II Andalucía October Tour.  The whole event is sponsored by the Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y de Deportes de la Junta de Andalucía, and co-funded by The European Union.  We start up again on Wednesday next week with the Young Horse classes.