'Incredible' Augustus reigns with world title

A teenage rider and a home-bred, who suffered an accident as a youngster, shine in an unforgettable week for Ireland

- By JENNIFER DONALD

IRELAND proved once again why its breeders and producers are admired the world over, with the nation's young horse jumping squad dominating much of these championships.

Lifting the seven-year-old title was Eoin Brennan riding Augustus Z, a son of the great Zangersheide stallion Aganix Du Seigneur out of Vigo D'Arsouillies mare GCS Athena. The gelding is owned and bred by Eoin’s veterinarian father Tim Brennan.

Eoin and the athletic and huge-striding Augustus Z triumphed after an electric 10-way jump-off, taking out an early stride between fences one and two on Bernard Mathy’s 1.45m course.

They maintained their pace to the finish line, edging ahead of 16-year-old rider Niels van Rossem with Belgian warmblood gelding Speedy Van Klapscheut (Chaiton FZ x Peppermill), bred by the van Rossem family.

Completing the podium was Thibault Thevenon of France on the Selle Français stallion, ICI Et La Courcelle.

Finishing fourth with the only other double clear from first draw was another Irish representative, Leah Stack and Aggie Van De Start Z, who was bred by Jan van Alken and is by the same stallion as Augustus Z. Her compatriot, Niamh McEvoy, followed in fifth with the third-fastest time of the day on Irish-bred stallion Boleybawn Alvaro, but with one fence down.