Munster Express Online

Paddy O’Donnell on his way to glory with ‘Harristown Princess’

ith record attendances and a host of wins for the home side, the Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show drew to a close on Sunday last after five days of intense competition.

The show began on Wednesday in perfect fashion with the first international showjumping competition of the week going to the Irish. Paddy O’Donnell from Fenor, Co Waterford took the winner’s rosette in the Failte Stakes with the Tomas Power-owned, Irish-bred mare ‘Harristown Princess’, finishing well over three seconds ahead of his nearest challenger Daniel Zetterman from Sweden, with Cara Raether from the United States in third.

Having made his international debut earlier this year with a spell in Italy, O’Donnell got a last minute call-up to the RDS International classes and grabbed the opportunity with both hands when landing the hotly contested class.

“I had a late draw in the competition and Team Ireland Equestrian Manager Robert Splaine told me just before I went in that the class was there for the taking, so I gave it my best shot and luckily it all worked out perfectly,” Paddy reflected.

“This was certainly one of the best days of my career so far and I would like to thank my parents Paddy and Gaye, along with Tomas Power from Dunmore East who owns Harristown Princess and also my sponsors who include The Uluru Bar in Waterford for the support they have given me over the years,” the 23-year-old beamed after his brilliant win.

As ever the many Waterford riders in action performed extremely well, including Aime Moloney who claimed two top-six placings in the 148 six and seven year old final when finishing in third place with ‘Gold Digger Douglas’ and in fifth with ‘Mighty Patch’

Also In the pony ranks Ian Fives, Cappoquin, and Nicholas Connors from Springmount, Dungarvan narrowly missed out of the prizes in the 128 competition, as did Laura Connors in the 138. In the Amateur competition, Aileen O’Connor made it through to the final while Sarah Kate O’Donovan narrowly missed out on reaching the decider when picking up just one time fault with the Noel Deveraux-owned ‘Knockenpower Ginger’.

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