CORK’s Simon McCarthy and Gotcha added to their ribbons in Kentucky on Friday night, when they were runners-up in the $31,020 1.45m International Speed class. Of the 19 starters, there were just seven clear rounds. The fastest of these was clocked by Kent Farrington (USA) riding Grass De Mars (62.47). McCarthy was marginally behind in 62.71 to take second place.

The 141st National Horse Show at Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena in Lexington had kicked off on Thursday night, with Newry’s Lorcan Gallagher riding Copycat into third place in the $31,020 1.45m International Welcome class. The top two places went to America’s Kent Farrington on Kadans and Caitlin Boyle on Prianti van het Mikkenhof respectively.

Irish man Alan Wade was the course designer and such was the challenge that he set, that only five combinations out of 28 starters managed to remain fault-free.

McCarthy and Narcotique v/h Dingenshof placed sixth in Saturday’s $125,000 1.50m Grand Prix, in a class that once again went to Farrington, this time on board Toulayna.