Silver Lining For Breach

‘Desperate’ weather conditions test the CCI2* contenders, taking their toll in both jumping phases — but a British rider scores her fi rst victory at international level

- Catherine Austen

FIONA BREACH scored her first international success in the Eventing Ireland CCI2*, finishing on her dressage score with her own Creevagh Silver De Haar despite desperate weather conditions.

“The Fell family [who own and run the Co. Cork venue] did everything they possibly could, but it was hard in torrential rain and with everything so muddy,” said the Surrey-based eventer.

Fiona was second after dressage with 45.6 behind Izzy Taylor and DHI Jet Set on 43.1. But Izzy, who was in the money on several occasions over the weekend, collected a smattering of cross-country time-faults and Fiona took the lead going into the showjumping.

“I didn’t know how he would jump out of the mud so I wasn’t expecting to win and therefore didn’t put any pressure on myself,” said Fiona.

The pair were clear, however, and stayed 2.8 penalties ahead of second-placed Laura Collett and London 52, who also completed on their dressage mark.