Commandant Geoff Curran and Bishops Quarter did it again to take the Ripon Select Foods Puissance class with an outright win at Horse of the Year Show 2023. Since making his debut at the infamous horse show last year, Curran got bit by the HOYS bug and returned this year to defend his title.
Twelve initially came forward to face the big red wall and four riders made it through to round five in front of a rocking sell-out crowd at Birmingham’s NEC. The imposing wall stood at 2.20m, which proved too much for the other three competitors.
Representing Ireland’s Ministry of Defence, it was a moment of Déjà vu for Geoff and the 16-year-old big bay stallion, Bishops Quarter as they lifted the trophy for the second year.
Geoff said: “I’m delighted to come back and take the trophy home again. He’s on good form at the moment; he jumped 2.25m outdoors in Dublin, but I have to say it felt bigger jumping it tonight indoors.
“He’s got an abundance of scope and a perfect attitude for the job; he’s very brave and very honest. He’s won a lot of them now, but there’s always room for more.”
Geoff has previously evented the horse up to 3* level, but at 16-years-old the horse is now solely aimed at Puissance classes.
“It’s amazing in that arena and I’m delighted to be the outright winner. He only really competes in the Puissance now. We may do some national competitions but they are just to prepare him for his next Puissance.”
Giving an inside perspective of what it feels like to ride up to the big red wall, Geoff comments: “I try to be very focused on doing my job because I know he knows how to do his job. The joy of it comes when you get over it. It’s a fantastic feeling and it’s a privilege to do it on him.”
The other three riders who made it through to the final round were; Joseph Trunkfield with Cruze, Mark Edwards with Montreuxs Tale and Guy Williams with Mr Blue Sky.
Audio interview with Commandant Geoff Curran
