THE Irish Sport Horse Fernhill Revelation won the inaugural CIC** competition at the Virginia Horse Trials in Lexington, USA, last weekend.

Ridden by Rio Olympic bronze medallist Philip Dutton, the 10-year-old gelding by YOU, was placed second after dressage and a clear show jumping round meant they held the lead heading into the final cross country phase.

Dutton guided Fernhill Revelation to one of just nine clear rounds over the cross country to win on his first FEI start since being sold to the Revelation Group in America. Previously owned by well-known Kilkenny-based event horse producer Carol Gee, and ridden up to three-star level by Fraser Duffy, Dutton has had three outing with the Irish-bred, winning on all three occasions.

“This is Fernhill Revelation’s first FEI competition in the US since importing him from Ireland, so we are thrilled for his owners to take home the win this weekend,” Dutton said.

“He already has a lot of experience at the three-star level with his previous rider Fraser Duffy, and we’re looking forward to bringing him out at that level in the spring. He has an incredible amount of talent and is definitely a horse for the future.”

Another Irish Sport Horse, Cooley Cruise Control, won the CCI** division with America’s Lindsay Kelly. The seven-year-old gelding, who is by Chacoa, jumped the only double clear round to hold their overnight position and win on their dressage score of 51.8 penalties.