Abu Dhabi: Irish rider Shane Breen on board Can Ya Makan was simply at his best in the CSI4* Al Shira’aa International Horse Show as he landed a double by winning both the Young Horse class and the concluding Z7 Presents Grand Prix-qualifying class.
“Can Ya Makan felt great and was really jumping well. I was lucky that a few of the fast ones went before me so I could watch their rounds. Between fences one and two they did 12 strides and Canya Makan has a huge stride so I tried to get 11 there, and then push on for the rest and it worked,” said Breen, a Hickstead Derby winner in 2012.
From the 46 starters, 21 managed to clear their rounds and seal a place in the jump off.
Setting early pace was Sharbatly, Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Sharbatly, the 2010 World Equestrian Games silver medallist, who went clear in 35.20 seconds on Woulon L, only to be eclipsed by World No. 8 Sweden’s Henrik Von Eckermann, who finished his round in 34.85 seconds on Artiste de l’Abbaye d’Auine.
Then Danish rider, Cecille Hatteland came close to knocking the Swede off the top with a round just .07 of a second slower on Alex.
However, Breen, riding Can Ya Makan for class sponsors Z7, set 33.28 seconds as the new time to beat. Apart from Syrian Kotayba Al Doygri on Queensland E none of them could come close to beating Breen’s mark. Al Doygri for his effort had to be content with second place clocking 33.57 seconds while Eckermann settled for the third spot.
Earlier, in the day, Been had also lead Z Seven Canya Dance to victory in the Young Horse class with a fast clear in 56.60 seconds.
“It’s really great to get a win for Z7 in class we sponsored. I’m delighted to be here at the Al Shiraa International Horse Show and I’m thrilled to have won the Young Horse class today with Canye Dance and the big class. I’m lucky to have the ride on so many great horses from team Z7,” revealed Breen.
