MAYO’s Jonathan Gordon was among a number of Irish riders to enjoy Grand Prix success last weekend. The German-based rider landed victory in the two-star 1.45m in Lier, Belgium.

It was a testing track at the venue, where only four of the starting 55 were clear in the first round. Against the clock, Gordon posting the winning time of 35.37 seconds with the 10-year-old mare Capri, owned by Andrea Hoppe, to earn €6,750.

The only other clear in the jump-off came from Belgium’s Claire Putters with High Fly Special in 35.68.

Riding the Aidan Carroll-bred Irish Sport Horse gelding CBI Kahari, Gordon was runner-up in a 1.35m at the venue. The talented eight-year-old gelding by Goodluck VDL out of the Kroongraaf mare CBI Karina was double clear in 30.86 seconds. He is owned by Denis Gallagher.

Fifth place in the class was Co Cork’s Brian Morrison with the nine-year-old mare Civa Ask, who joined the Global Event Horses stable at the beginning of the year, having previously been produced by the USA’s Maggie Kehring.

Spanish success

Meanwhile, in Spain, Michael G. Duffy was close to winning the four-star 1.55m Grand Prix in Vejer de la Frontera with Carl Hanley and Niall Talbot’s 10-year-old gelding Clitschko 17.

From 50 starters, nine of some of the best riders in the world made it through to the jump-off, where Duffy was one of just three clears, breaking the beam in 41.29 to finish second and earn €19,540.

Victory went to Dutchman Kevin Jochems with La Costa (0/0 40.91), while British Olympian Scott Brash was third with Hello Valentino. Harry Allen slotted into fourth with Ballywalter Stables’ Calculatus when, despite having the fastest round of the day, he had a fence down against the clock.

Seamus Hughes Kennedy scored another four-star win with the Irish to back up his previous week’s result with the 11-year-old Irish mare Cuffesgrange Cavadora (Z Wellie 72 x Luidam), bred by Eamonn Sheehan. The pair won Sunday’s 1.50m jump-off when best of seven clears in the jump-off.

Another Irish-bred, the 11-year-old mare Attoucha (Aganix du Seigneur Z x Diamant de Semilly), bred by Gerry Marron and Luc Henry, finished second for USA’s Paris Sellon. Niamh McEvoy slotted into fourth with Max O’Reilly Hyland’s nine-year-old Aconzina PS.

McEvoy won Thursday’s six-year-old class aboard the GBBS Int Ltd-bred BP Tiny Dancer (Plot Blue x Concorde) who was recently sold to the USA at the Ballypatrick Auction.