KILLIAN Norris brought last weekend to a positive conclusion with a podium finish at the two-star show in Bonheiden, Belgium, combining with 10-year-old chesnut gelding, O’Neill Van ‘T Heike, for a wonderful third place. Victory went to Pascale Haep (BEL) and Quesera de Muze, who stopped the clock on 36.65 in the jump-off. Norris and his in-ring partner weren’t quite that quick, but they were slick and pacy enough to post a better time than nine other combinations in the decider, with their time of 38.76.

Irish do well at Deurne

THERE were some notable results for Irish paradressage riders at three-star show in Deurne, Netherlands. Sarah Slattery and Savona, in preparation for the Paralympic Games, scored 68.553% in the GP B in a strong field of Grade 5 competitors. Katie Reilly and Lymepark Rigeletto scored a new PB of 66.222% in the GP A in Grade 3.

Reisenbeck LGCT

SIMON McCarthy and Gotcha returned to the winner’s circle on Saturday, taking the lion’s share of the prize money in the three-star Longines ranking jump-off class at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Riesenbeck International. A total of 49 had a tilt at the prize with McCarthy and his mare 27th into the ring. The pair, who were victorious in Prague just over a fortnight ago and also have scored in Florida earlier in the year, were among the 22 to go clear first time around, with 13 of those opting to return to the fray. The Cork athlete and Gotcha were clear in the tie-breaker in a time of 35.24 seconds to add another success to the expanding CV.

McGuane hits form

PHILIP McGuane got a strong placing in three-star competition on week four of HITS Horse Shows on the Hudson at Goshen, New York, claiming third in the speed competition on Edgard de Brefontaine with a clear in 81.56 seconds in the Douglas Elliman GP Stadium. Victory went to Carly Anthony (USA) with Jet Blue. McGuane was also in the prize money in the subsequent $62,480 three-star jump-off competition, ending in sixth on Paso Doble SCF with a fantastic double clear. It was another American athlete that prevailed, Megan McDermott continuing her excellent form on this swing with Nintendo.

Dinard runner-up

CONOR Swail and Theo 160 were agonisingly close to another five-star triumph after a brilliant clear round in the 1.45m speed class at Jumping International de Dinard on Saturday, but having to settle for runner-up with a time just eight-tenths shy of the home winner, Edward Levy on Vitot Du Chateau.

Levy posted what proved to be the winning time of 66.80 seconds, while Swail and his 12-year-old partner made a heroic effort in 66.88.