ON his first visit to the prestigious five-star CHI Geneva, Co Kilkenny’s Tim Brennan won the opening Under 25 1.40m speed class while Daniel Coyle sped to a five-star win on Friday morning.

Riding the 10-year-old mare Diadema Della Caccia, Brennan stormed to victory with a brilliant clear in 58.41 seconds, almost two seconds faster than Swiss runner-up Thibaut Keller.

Fourth place belonged to Brennan’s cousin, Kilkenny-based Molly Hughes Bravo who rides under the Portuguese flag, aboard the Kevin-Meagher-bred HHS Ice Flo (Iceman De Muze x By Cyrano 145).

Also featuring on the opening day was Co Meath world number 22 Cian O’Connor who scored two podium places. The first came in the 1.45m two-phase aboard the Karlswood Partners-owned 11-year-old mare Canbella Blue PS. Their second phase clear in 28.11 seconds saw them finish just over two seconds behind German winner Michael Jung with Fischer Duopower. O’Connor recorded his second podium finish of the day in the 1.60m jump-off class with the 12-year-old gelding Chatolinue PS.

A clear second round in 47.16 saw them take third spot – two seconds behind British winner Donald Whitaker with Millfield Colette.

On Friday morning, Derry’s Daniel Coyle won the 1.45m two-phase aboard Ariel Grange’s nine-year-old mare Daydream. A clear in 56.27 saw him edge out Switzerland’s Bryan Balsiger to win €9,900. Tipperary’s Tom Wachman finished in seventh place with Coolmore Showjumping’s Obora’s Laura(58.55).

Ireland was represented by Daniel Coyle, who is ranked number 10 in the world, in Friday night’s Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final.