Paul O’Shea and ‘Imerald’ show stamina for Grand Prix win

Forty three entries lined up for the $215,000 FEI 4* Grand Prix on the Derby field in week four of the Winter Equestrian Festival [WEF] and only a trio of horse and rider combinations made it to the jump off – Paul O’Shea and 16-year old Imerald Van’t Voorhof being one of them.

“It was a long course,” said Paul of the opening round. “And the last line up the hill – maybe some of the horses were a little tired by then.” The final line of jumps added a tally to a number of contestants’ scores with only Paul, David O’Brien riding El Balou OLD and Mimi Gochman on Celina BH, managing to go clear.

David took four faults in the opening round of the jump off, leaving some clues on the table for Paul to pick up. “I was lucky to be able to see David go,” he said. “I was wondering, going in, whether I should do seven or eight through the first line. David did eight but I could see then that there was a seven there.”

Paul’s round in 39.63 seconds was followed up by a clear from Mimi in 40.25,  giving the Irishman and his seven-year partner Imerald the win. “When David had one down, I guess it made sense to go a bit faster because if I had one down and I was quicker than him I would be second anyway – and to put pressure on Mimi and it worked out.”

Among those watching were Paul’s sons John and Rory, who joined their dad for the post-Grand Prix press conference. Also in the crowd was renowned FEI dressage rider and coach, Ruth Poulsen who had a client in the ring. “I think Ruth was here today to watch,” said Paul. “Normally when we’re down here we get a lesson once a week and that’s been really helpful to keep him [Imerald] soft and happy.”