Greg Broderick shines – THOUGH a disappointing team result for Ireland, today’s first 2015  Nations’ Cup at Lummen in Belgium saw a new star emerge in the shape of 29 year-old Greg Broderick shines with the Irish Sport Horse MHS Going Global.

Making their five-star debut in the top level of the Furusiyya league, the Thurles-based rider and the nine year-old bay gelding lowered just one fence in the first round and then delivered Ireland’s only zero penalty score in the second.

With the team’s more experienced riders Denis Lynch and Billy Twomey failing to catch fire at the Belgian venue, and Cameron Hanley improving on a nine fault first round to collect four in the second, it was new man Broderick, Ireland’s 2014 national show jumping champion, who lifted Irish expectations.

MHS Going Global, owned by Caledonia Stables in Tipperary, and bred by Ita Brennan in Kilkenny, was one of the youngest horses at the eight-nation competition today, but will now be a likely contender for future selection in major Irish team contests. Greg Broderick shines and MHS Going Global were the winners of the TRM/Horseware Premier Series 2014 and consequent National Champions.

Ireland finished eighth at Lummen on 33 penalties, with Italy overtaking France to claim victory in the second round on just six faults.

Ireland’s show jumping manager Robert Splaine said from Lummen this evening: “As it was allocated to Ireland as our first Nations’ Cup of the season, Lummen was always going to be a challenge, as my options for the team proved limited at this point. However, every cloud has a silver lining for, with major challenges ahead, it was great to see a new star emerging in the shape of Greg Broderick and MHS Going Global.”

LUMMEN NATIONS’ CUP RESULT

IRL 33 faults

Denis Lynch/Abbervail van het Dingeshof 8/8 Cameron Hanley/Living the Dream 9/4 Greg Broderick/MHS Going Global (ISH) 4/0 Billy Twomey/Diaghilev 9/12

BREEDING:

MHS Going Global (ISH) – 2006 bay gelding by Quidam Junior I (KWPN) out of Gowran Lady (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Bred by Ita Brennan, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Caledonia Stables. Rider: Greg Broderick (IRL)

info via Horse Sport Ireland.