Burke jumps to five-star glory in France
GALWAY showjumper Jessica Burke celebrated a milestone first five-star victory at Jumping International De Bordeaux on Saturday, with one of the most exciting horses on the circuit, Good Star du Bary.
The pair produced the sole double clear in a four-way showdown against some of the best in the business to decide the 12th leg of the Longines FEI World Cup in Western Europe.
“This horse has been close so many times and I was hoping for a top-five finish, but I didn’t think I could win, so I’m delighted,” said Gort native and former school teacher Burke
Drawn last against the clock and as her three rivals had all faulted, Burke knew a clear round would seal a landmark success.
Absolute silence filled the venue as the pair skipped round the 1.60m track and, maintaining an upbeat tempo but with a cautionary check to the final oxer, this spectacular pair crossed the finish line clear, earning a huge round of applause.
Burke deflected all the glory to the grey gelding. “He’s the best horse I’ve ever ridden. You watch him jump 1.30m and you think that’s all he can jump, but he’s so special.”
This was a historic victory for 34-year-old Burke as she became the first female rider to win Bordeaux’s feature class on just her sixth attempt at a World Cup competition with the 10-year-old.
“Five times he’s had one down but today we were clear,” said Jessica. “To have patience and wait for your day to come is very hard.”
Burke’s family was in Bordeaux to support her while owner Liam Nicholas was also there celebrating his 60th birthday. “I only have one horse at this level at the moment but one very good one; he makes my life very easy. In the warm-up he’s totally relaxed but then he totally lights up with the crowd.
“His breeders will be so happy – I think the horse has a bigger following than I do in France,” she said of the French-bred son of Rock’n Roll Semilly, bred by Marina Storgato. “He has a massive heart. There aren’t many horses like him.”
Burke, who has recently left her base of Arion Stud in Hampshire to return to her native Ireland, has now secured her place in the World Cup Final in Fort Worth in April.
Pictured: Gort's Jessica Burke celebrates winning the Longines FEI World Cup on Good Star du Bary in Bordeaux on Saturday.