Howley takes top two places in Spanish Grand Prix

A commanding performance from Richard Howley saw him fill the top two places in Sunday’s two-star Grand Prix at Valencia in Spain. The Sligo native took victory with El Wee Widge and second place with Arlo de Blondel.

Of the 39 starters, 16 made it through to the jump-off. Howley was in top form, crossing the line clear in 34.44 seconds to win aboard the Michael Whitaker-owned gelding El Wee Widge. Another fast clear in 35.16 with his own gelding Arlo de Blondel saw Howley grab another huge slice of the prize fund in second place. Kevin Gallagher was the next best Irish finisher after he guided the Irish sport horse Ballypatrick Flamenco to sixth place.

Meanwhile at Vilamoura in Portugal, Irish riders made their presence felt, with Derry’s David Simpson finishing best of the Irish in the four-star Ashford Farm Grand Prix. Simpson partnered the Breen Equestrian and Quirke Sport Horses-owned Foudre F to take the runner-up prize of €19,000.

At Royan in France, Kilkenny’s Susan Fitzpatrick and Verdict de Kezeg also finished as runners-up in the two-star Grand Prix which was won by French rider Tony Cadet with Uppsale Del Cabalero.

Eventing

In eventing, the Irish sport horse Brookfield Inocent, who was bred by John Mulvey in Co Wicklow, landed second place at Pau CCI five-star in France. The final result saw seven Irish sport horses finishing inside the top 20.