SHOWJUMPING:S0ME OF the world's best jumping horses converged on the Dublin main arena yesterday for a superb opening day, with three riveting international classes and Irish riders Cian O'Connor, Darragh Kerins and Denis Lynch taking a second and two thirds.
Swede Peder Fredricson opened his account with a well-deserved win in the opening international speed class, the Fáilte Stakes, on his eight-year-old stallion Maloubet de Pleville, which he bought from a field in Normandy when the jumper was only two years old.
A deluge did not discourage riders in the competition, where Fredricson beat Dutch rider Gert Jan Bruggink on Cash Junior. Denis Lynch with his bay Belgian-bred Upsilon D'Ocquier impressed to finish third overall ahead of Swiss rider Richard Jane on Lune De L'Othain.
Many riders did not push their horses in the opening class due to the persistent rain but some of the classic grand prix horses enjoyed their first day in the spacious arena. Darragh Kerins on his Cavalier Royale-sired bay speed mare Toscan R took eighth place.
Peder Fredricson was over the moon with his first win in Dublin. Patting the good-looking stallion Maloubet he said: "He's my hope for the Dublin Speed Derby. He is a fantastic stallion He's very fast with a big stride and ideally suited to this big galloping arena."
Dutchman Gert Jan Bruggink on the 12-year-old bay Acobat gelding Acodetto excelled to win the second international event, the Speed Stakes, with a time of 58.74.
Cian O'Connor on the chestnut mare, Baloufina, owned by Dermot O'Rourke, produced a copybook performance for runner-up slot in 61.33.
O'Connor said: "Baloufina was purchased a few months ago at the Paul Schockemohle auction in Germany and although she is only eight she gives her all. I expect a lot from her in the future."
Opening speed class winner Peder Fredricson finished third in the event on Felini Skovsby.
Army rider Capt Shane Carey with the Carrolls Flight gelding Cashla Bay finished fourth behind Fredricson, with Derry-bred Mr Springfield owned by Jimmy McCloskey taking fifth for Great Britain's Robert Smith.
There was a sixth placing for Malahide rider Conor Swail with his new horse HSS Cheerio.
The Irish Sports Council Classic, the third international competition, with 58 starters brought back the glory days of jumping when split-second accurate riding was order of the day.
Swiss veteran Markus Fuchs on his 13-year-old mare La Toya astounded spectators when he performed a breathtaking round to shave a fraction of a second off an equally brilliant round by US rider Lauren Hough on her 12-year-old mare Casadora.
Twelve riders made it through to the second round where the pathfinder was Patrice Delaveau from Deauville on Katchina Mail, who set a time of 40.72, followed by Belgian Patrik Spits with Sherlock K, clear in 40.78.
Up-and-coming British ace Tim Gredley with Omelli produced a steady round in 44.23, but it was Lauren Hough who left the spectators breathless as she steered Casadora, breaking all the rules at a flat-out pace, stopping the clock at 39.49 and looking like the winner.
However, Fuchs had been watching from the sidelines. "I watched her every stride and I knew La Toya could win, but I needed to save time after that yellow oxer [ fence] so I turned inside the fence and took seven strides to the last while everyone was taking eight."
Night Train, Ireland's mini-horse superstar at only 15.1 hands, ridden by Darragh Kerins, also took on the challenge and finished third in 40.60 to beat Delaveau.
Young Cavan rider, Neal Fearon on Michael Quirke's Teulada finished in sixth.