IRISH riders gave a great account of themselves in Wellington over the weekend, including some super performances in Saturday’s four-star $215,000 Grand Prix. From a start list of 30, there were only six combinations who jumped clear in the first round.

The jump-off was equally challenging and saw Shane Sweetnam ride the Patrick Connolly-bred James Kann Cruz (ISH) into second place (43.75), with Tyrone’s Niamh McEvoy on Jargon DN, owned by GBBS International, placing third (44.71). The Irish pair were only beaten by German winner Richard Vogel on Cydello (43.22). These three combinations were the only three double clears in the class. To continue the Irish theme, HHS Seattle (ISH), bred in Kilkenny by Anne Hughes, finished fourth with American rider Spencer Smith in the saddle, while Derry’s Jordan Coyle on Chaccolino followed in ninth.