Chinook keeps Irish flag flying
Richard Howley scores a grand prix win for Ireland, while young Brits show good form
RICHARD HOWLEY continued the Irish domination when clinching the under-25 grand prix with the former eventer Chinook. There were eight clears from 20 starters and Richard, the penultimate rider, went into the jump-off with all guns blazing to deny Sweden’s Karin Martinsen (Quantos) a home victory.
Richard has been riding the son of Tygo for 18 months — the 10-year-old gelding had been ridden up to two-star in eventing before making the switch to showjumping in 2015.
“He’s a very special horse and has done so much for me this year, including taking me to three super league teams,” added Richard, whose results with the gelding include second in the Hickstead Derby in 2016.
Young British rider Jessica Dimmock produced a double clear aboard Cassius Clay — a former ride of Sweden’s Malin BaryardJohnsson and Ben Maher — and finished seventh.
Germany’s Simone Blum, 28, clinched a double of triumphs during the international jumping that ran alongside the championships.
Partnering the talented chestnut mare DSP Alice, Simone followed her success on Friday with a win in the 1.55m class despite a deluge of rain falling on the Ullevi Stadium.
“Alice is just a superstar — I’ve ridden her now for three years and she’s very fast but so careful,” said Simone.
“This was the first time she has done a big competition under the floodlights, so it was a great experience for her, although she was a little bit spooky.”