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Irish showjumper Jessica Burke shares her whirlwind story on the eve of her first World Cup Final

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Showjumping editor Jennifer Donald finds out about Jessica Burke’s pint-sized star with “frightening ability” and their exciting times ahead as they head to the World Cup Final in Texas, in this exclusive article for H&H subscribers

Jessica Burke and Good Star Du Bary deliver the only double clear to win their first World Cup in Bordeaux.

Proving that if you dream big, the results will follow, is showjumper Jessica Burke. Seven years ago, the Galway maths teacher decided to pursue her passion for horses, embarking on an exciting new career as a professional rider. She’s since gone on to represent her native Ireland in Nations Cups and won the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Hickstead.

But this week, after a whirlwind few months on the indoor circuit, she finds herself making her debut in the World Cup Jumping Final in Texas, competing among the global elite for one of the sport’s most coveted prizes.

While most of her rivals arrive in Fort Worth with a string of grand prix horses at their disposal, Jessica only has the one five-star horse, the small but ever
so mighty Good Star Du Bary.

It’s a proper pinch-me moment for the 34-year-old, but “we’re going there with big hopes,” she reassures.

So how did this remarkable tale of David versus Goliath unfold?

Jessica always knew she’d found something special in the diminutive grey Good Star Du Bary, known at home as Rocky, who came from France as a
six-year-old via fellow Irish showjumper Ivan Dalton. She produced him carefully through the levels, including finishing an eye-catching 14th in the seven-year-old World Championship in 2023. Last summer they represented Ireland in the Nations Cup of Kronenberg, when Rocky finally felt ready to step up to the big time.

Jessica and the now 10-year-old gelding by Rock’N Roll Semilly used Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) as the springboard for what has developed into a phenomenal winter season indoors, culminating in a landmark first victory in a World Cup qualifier, in Bordeaux, France, in February.

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