Commandant Geoff Curran continued an outstanding week for Irish riders at the Horse of the Year Show by delivering a world-class performance to win the Ripon Select Foods Puissance.
A capacity crowd at the NEC, Birmingham roared their approval as he cleared a winning height of 2.19 metres with Bishops Quarter to take a top prize of just over £5,000 and become the first outright puissance winner at HOYS since 2017.
It was a masterclass display by a rider who has previously evented at Olympic level, with Mark Edwards and Montreuxs Tale finishing second, while William Whitaker (Flamboyant III) and Guy Williams (Mr Blue Sky) shared third spot.
The Puissance once again proved an event not to miss at HOYS, bringing the curtain down on a packed penultimate day’s action.
It was the fourth international class to produce an Irish victory, following a double for Jess Burke and Richard Howley’s success in the Grandstand Welcome Stakes on Friday.
“The crowd was amazing, the atmosphere was brilliant. I had never been to the show before, but I am delighted to be here and to win it is very special.” Commandant Curran said.
“He finds jumping big very easy, and the first few rounds are all about trying to keep him as relaxed as possible.
“He is very brave, and for me, with this horse, it is about gymnastics and getting him nice and nimble.
“He has all the ingredients – very brave, very scopey, very talented – and he is so honest. He will never ever say no.
“I evented him up to the old three-star format, and he’s always been an amazing jumper, but if you allow him to boil over, he gets very strong, and then you are in trouble. Tonight, he was very relaxed.”
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