"La Baule is a very special show, it’s one of my favourites, so I am very honoured to win the derby today," Shane Breen said after taking the victory in the Derby Région des Pays de La Loire in La Baule with Scarteen. Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.
Text © World of Showjumping
Saturday’s highlight at Jumping International de La Baule was the traditional Derby Région des Pays de La Loire, where Ireland’s Shane Breen wrote his name into the history books when robbing the French of a home win together with his 10-year-old gelding Scarteen (Cardento x Chellano Z). It was home hero Julien Gonin and Caprice de Guinfard (Mylord Carthago x Socrate de Chivre) who held the lead when Breen came into the packed François André Stadium – which was bathing in sunshine – and shaved off 1.51 seconds on the French rider’s time, snatching the victory from the hosts.
Shane Breen and Scarteen celebrating their derby victory in La Baule. Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.
“Personally, I very much like doing derbies,” Breen said. “I suppose that comes from a hunting background. But I especially love doing this derby in La Baule, thank you for your support. I thought the crowd was magnificent here today! La Baule is a very special show, it’s one of my favourites, so I am very honoured to win the derby today. I have had a couple of attempts; I have been second twice – I know the French wanted Julien to win, but I also wanted to win!” Breen laughed after securing the victory for Ireland for the second year in a row – his compatriot Denis Lynch won the 2022-edition.
As the last rider in the ring, Switzerland’s Romain Duguet and Bel Canto de Boguin (Grenat de Grez *HN x Arpege Pierville) came very close to the win, but a hick-up at the lake meant the two had to see four faults added to their score – leaving them third.
Then