HOLLAND’S Harrie Smolders and Devino VD Weretherbach Z (De Flor 11 Z x Calvin Z) won the seven and eight-year-old 1.40m international championship on Sunday morning.

A total of 14 of the 28 starters produced a clear first round to earn a place in the timed decider.

First to go was Ireland’s Cian O’Connor and WOW Trading’s stallion Goliath (Contendro x L’Arc De Triomphe). They produced another clear round in a time of 38.05 for eventual sixth place. Britain’s Harry Wood was second to go aboard BP Lion Man (Kannan x Guidam), bred by Kilmashogue Stud. They had two fences down in 38.86.

Ireland’s Dermott Lennon, riding his own and breeder Gerrard Marron’s Kinmar Right On Time (Aganix Di Seigneur x UNK), also had two down for eight faults.

Junior Kian Dore and the French-bred Helssinki (Calvaro Z x Windows VH Costersveld) had one down in 26.69.

Seamus Hughes Kennedy and Racecourse Farm Ltd’s Dure De Semily (Diamant de Semilly x Oklund) had one on the ground, while Shane Dalton rode Ennisnag Stud’s Mendoza VDL (Harley VDL x Cardento) to a second clear in 36.32 for fifth place. Briton Ben Maher and Maddox vh Haringvliet Z (Monte Bellini x Ogano) also remained fault-free in 36.03 for fourth place.

Ireland’s Darragh Ryan and his own Lady Blue Du Pont Letot (Chacoon Blue x Qoby De Saint Aubert) were clear in 35.91 for third.

France’s Nina Mallevaey and Destine To Be had one fence down, while next in Harrie Smolders and Devino VD Weretherbach Z went clear in 35.30 for the win.

The USA’s Aaron Vale rode Styles (Cornet Obolensky x Canturo) into the runner-up spot in a time of 35.63. Ireland’s Susan Fitzpatrick and her own Lovely Stassi PS had two down, while Ethen Ahearne and LVS Goldrush H (Stakkato Gold x Stakkato) had one fence on the ground.

Last to go, Holland’s Mel Thijssen and Cobalt De Quelennec Z, were clear in 39.79 for seventh place.

Leading riders

International

Ireland’s Mikey Pender was named Leading International Rider of the five-star Dublin Horse Show.

“The Kildare man accumulated 28 points, having placed fifth in the Minerva Stakes and second in the Sport Ireland Classic on Wednesday, fourth in the Speed Derby and eighth in the Cashel Palace Hotel Stakes on Thursday.

He finished second in the Dublin Stakes, second in the pairs relay and won the Puissance on Saturday, as well as taking seventh in the Rolex Grand Prix of Dublin on Sunday.

Commenting on his award, he said: “I’m thrilled to have been named leading international rider at such a prestigious five-star show.

“Dublin is one of the best shows in the world and has only been made better by the addition of the Rolex Grand Prix.

“My horses have all been really good this week and I’m delighted with the results”.

National

Niamh McEvoy was named Leading National rider after five days of the Dublin show, where she earned five top-five places including a win and a runner-up spot.

“I was so pleased to be named Leading National Rider of the show. In addition to the six-year-olds that finished first and fourth, I also had a four-year-old BP Wishes, who finished second in the championships, which was great.”

She had earned her place in the internationals by winning the Grand Prix Premier Series.

“There’s no show like Dublin. I was delighted to have the opportunity to compete in the internationals. For two of my horses, it was their first five-star, so I was happy with how they went. We just missed out on qualifying for the Grand Prix.”