ITALIAN-based Irish rider James Connor and his 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding Casino’ Royal scored 66.55% to place second in the Grand Prix Special at the CDI*** show in Caselle Di Sommacampagna, Italy, last Saturday.

Lastt Friday, Connor and Casino’ Royal placed fifth in the Grand Prix on only their second international outing this year. In his debut season in 2014 at big tour level, Casino’ Royal showed great promise when qualifying as a nine-year-old to be a member of Team Ireland at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy.

James and Casino’ Royal have already qualified to compete at the 2015 FEI European Dressage Championships in Aachen, Germany this August.

Swiss rider Birgit Wientzek Pläge and For Compliment scored a double by adding the Grand Prix Special to their win in the Grand Prix on a 71.24% total.