Ghana & Peter Moloney Leave a Lasting Impression in the Yageo-Prize Speed Derby at CHIO Aachen
Power. Bravery. Speed. There’s a key list of traits needed to excel on the world-renowned derby field at Germany’s CHIO Aachen. Thankfully, all of them were on display on July 19, 2019 when Ireland’s Peter Moloney and the then-13-year-old BWP mare, Ghana, took to the arena.
From her first jump to her last, Ghana displayed the characteristic boldness and athleticism that have become her calling cards in the ring. Unfazed by Aachen’s challenging ditches and banks, a towering stone wall, or a required gallop through the infamous “lake,” Ghana confidently jumped clear over the 11-obstacle, 1.45m track. Stopping the clock at 62.40 seconds, she and Moloney were awarded fifth place.
Ghana began her career competing in the Young Horse classes under Belgian rider Ann Carton-Grootjans. The pair won their first 1.45m CSI3* class together in Lanaken before Ghana went on to campaign briefly under Ireland’s Cian O’Connor at the CSIO5* in La Baule in 2014. She later spent time under British rider Daniel McGlynn before moving to Moloney’s string in early 2017.
During their two years together—and in addition to their top placing in the Yageo-Prize Speed Derby at CHIO Aachen—Ghana and Moloney took fourth place in the 1.50m Tom Hudson Derby Trophy and won the Bunn Leisure Derby Two Phase at CSI4* Hickstead in 2017. They also earned top finishes at CSIO5* Rome, Italy; CSI3* Knokke and CSI3* Opglabbeek in Belgium; as well as CSI2* events in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain, Eschweiler, Germany, and Bonheiden, Belgium.
Ghana is by the stallion Vigo D’Arsouilles STX, who won an Individual Gold Medal at the 2010 World Equestrian Games with Philippe Le Jeune (BEL). As a broodmare, Ghana has been equally successful, producing the 2013 mare Nebraska van 't Vianahof, who currently campaigns under Germany’s Nisse Lüneburg up to the 1.50m level.
