THE Bretland Construction CCI3*-L class had six entries, but still managed to have an international feel with two British riders, a representative from Hong Kong and three Irish riders. Also coming before the dressage judges, Ann Bostock (GBR) and Marie Hennesy (IRL) on Thursday, the competitors were tightly packed with only seven marks between them.

It was the Richard Ames-owned and bred nine-year-old Royaldik gelding, RCA Royal Summer, that held a narrow lead under Robbie Kearns. Their score of 30.7, had them just 0.2 marks ahead of eventual winner Andrew Downes and Cooley Foxtrot. Kearns was to maintain his lead after a fast clear inside the time around the cross-country track, the only one in the class to do so, but an elimination in the second horse inspection put paid to his chance of a double at the venue.

Aforementioned Downes and the Sean Jones-bred Irish Sport Horse, Cooley Foxtrot added four time penalties to their dressage score on the cross-country track. This, combined with a faultless show jumping round on Sunday morning, was enough to secure the win, a first for the horse.

Annie Ho and Jockey Club Miss Matana finished in second spot after adding time penalties on the cross-country and lowering two poles in the show jumping arena. This combination were victorious in the CCI2*-S last year at the same venue and made their debut at three-star level in Luhmühlen in June. Rounding out the top three was local rider Alice Copithorne and Barnaboy Peaches and Cream.