As the season winds down, Eye Candy is gearing up. The 2021 Major League Show Jumping season champions earned their second win of the 2022 season as MLSJ's stint in Mexico comes to a close. Moving to the indoor arena at Club Hípico La Silla for a second week of competition at the iconic venue, Eye Candy came with their A-game. Gregory Bodo (FRA) set the tracks where Eye Candy, Trailblazers, Spy Coast Spies and Roadrunners stayed above the cutline after round one.
In round two, Eye Candy's leading lady Jacqueline Steffens-Daly (CAN) and Freaky (12yo KWPN gelding by Darco x Litho X) joined forces with recent trade acquisition Richie Moloney (IRL) on Coco Beach (10yo Holsteiner mare by Casall x San Patrignano Corrado). Together they did what needed to be done to send Paul O'Shea and Squirt Gun (11yo OS gelding by Diarado x Quick Star) to an Irish battle against Jordan Coyle in the gold-medal round.
Returning last, O'Shea nipped Coyle by nearly a full second to secure the victory. Coyle led fellow teammate Lacey Gilbertson (USA) and Spy Coast Spies manager Shane Sweetnam (IRL) to the podium with the silver medal.
Taking bronze, Trailblazers' Lillie Keenan (USA), Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Manuel Dufrane (MEX) bested the Roadrunners in the first medal round to find themselves on the podium.
"I was able to see Jordan go, which was very helpful, and I'd seen a few go with Richie and Jacqueline earlier. Jacqueline was very quick, so that was very helpful because then I had an idea of what I needed to do and where to do it." ~ Paul O'Shea (IRL)
"It's really exciting to get our second win of the season. I think it was an important one for us trying to get back into striking range of maybe taking over the season standings. Going indoors for this week made it interesting and a little bit different than what we have been doing. Especially after we have had the privilege of being in a bunch of beautiful, massive fields, this was a good challenge." ~ Jacqueline Steffens-Daly (CAN)
"It's a great experience to have everyone pulling for each other. The team has been very consistent. I think I've jumped on four and we've been on the podium every time, so I'm so happy to be here. And, there was great atmosphere here tonight." ~ Richie Moloney (IRL)
Action at MLSJ Monterrey II resumes on Sunday when the GNP CSI5* Grand Prix takes center stage at 2:30pm. Phase 8 of MLSJ continues at Club Hípico La Silla in Monterrey, Mex, through November 13.