Howley becomes World Champion
ENNISCRONE showjumper Richard Howley can add world champion to his many victories after a fantastic performance at the World Championships for Young Horses at Lanaken in Belgium on Sunday.
The Dooneen native and The Irish Sport Horse Uppercourt Cappucino are the new 5-year-old World Champions, taking the Gold medal after a 24 horse jump-off.
The duo posted a winning double clear round in 35.17 seconds.
This competition attracted 237 horses from all over the world.
This was the first time that the Enniscrone man was competing at the prestigious event.
Uppercourt Cappucino, owned by HK Horses was bred by Paul O’Byrne.
It was a brilliant day all round for the Irish at the World Championships with Tipperary’s Darragh Ryan winning Silver on board CSF Sir George, while the Bronze medal also went to Ireland’s Mikey Pender and HHS Vancouver, the Kildare man sealing an all-Irish podium spot for the showjumpers.
Speaking to RTE afterwards, Richard said he was over the moon.
The newly-crowned world champion added: “I bought him (Uppercourt Cappucino) after a show in Millstreet.
“The horse was owned at that time by Ger O’Neill (Castlefield Sport Horses) and Jason Higgins.
“Jason had produced the horse as a 4-year-old and I bought him at the back end of this year.
“He (Uppercourt Cappucino) has only done a handful of shows in his life and the horse is so mature in his mind he is just like riding an 8-year-old.
“It’s a good day for the Irish and a good day to be Irish. I think the world of this horse, he has done enough now for this year. It’s amazing, I came here two years ago to watch and this is my first time riding here and it’s an absolute thrill to ride here in front of this wonderful crowd,” a delighted Richard added.
This World Champion success comes shortly after Richard picked up another major win at the beginning of September when he landed the Grand Prix de Gijón at the Spanish five-star venue. He was on board Morgan Kent’s ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, Dolores. The horse was bought for his fiancée as a 21st birthday present when it was a foal. Richard was part of the Nations Cup Team in Gijón where Ireland finished fourth of ten countries. He also had a win in the accumulator class before taking the €150,000 Grand Prix, earning him the honour of Leading International Rider at the competition. Back in August, Richard featured in a four-way tie for first place in the Land Rover Puissance at the Dublin Horse Show. It has been an unforgettable few months for the west Sligo man and his family, including proud parents Pauline and Paddy.