ANNA Merveldt completed a successful weekend at the CDI3* World Cup event in Budapest, Hungary last weekend when finishing second in Sunday’s Freestyle to Music aboard 11-year-old Lustiana stallion Esporim.

From 10 starters, the combination scored 73.65% to take the runner-up spot behind France’s Morgan Barbancon with Sir Donnerhall II OLD (76.65%). Austria’s Christian Schumach and Donna Karacho placed third on a score of 73.60%.

Although Merveldt and Esporim didn’t beat their Freestyle record of 74.74%, achieved when finishing fourth in Mariakalnok in June, the result was their highest placing in a World Cup competition as a combination.

Barbancon and Sir Donnerhall II OLD also won Saturday’s Grand Prix at the venue on a score of 72.45%, when Merveldt finished third on 69.67%.

Merveldt and Esporim, who is owned by Mario Greco, Eleonore Higgins, Michael Higgins and Giovanna Mazza, have not finished outside the top six in six competitions since the resumption of sport in June.

Merveldt said: “It was quite a haul to get there, over 1,000km one way. We had to have Covid tests, find stables in Slovenia to stay over, and more Covid tests when we came back. So it wasn’t too easy, but the show was very well organised, they were really fantastic. I drove the truck with Esporim’s owner, we had a great adventure.

“It was the highest placing that we have had. I was really pleased. It is a bit difficult because the horses don’t have the routine of going to shows anymore. Esporim loves shows but we haven’t been in quite a while so he was very keen on the first day. The music went off very well and overall I was super pleased.”