IRELAND’s Anna Merveldt and the 10-year-old Esporim are continuing to rise through the ranks following their appearance at the FEI European Championships in August and scored two top 10 places at the World Cup show in Salzburg, Austria, last weekend.

Riding the gelding who is owned by Mario Greco, Giovanna Mazza, and Anna’s sister Lorli Higgins and her brother-in-law Michael, she opened the week by finishing equal eighth in Saturday’s FEI World Cup Grand Prix.

The combination scored 68.326% to match the score of Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg and Annabelle in a competition that attracted 15 competitors. Germany’s Isabell Werth (Emilio) scored 78.957% for the win ahead of compatriot Benjamin Werndl (Daily Mirror) in second on a 77.717% total. France’s Morgan Barbancon (Sir Donnerhall II OLD) slotted into third on a score of 72.304%.

On Sunday, Merveldt and Esporim continued to impress, recording a score of 73.310% in their debut Grand Prix Freestyle to finish 10th at the fifth leg of the FEI World Cup Dressage Western European League.

Werth once again took the top place with Emilio when scoring 85.905%, just ahead of Werndl and Daily Mirror in second on 84.705%.

Speaking from Salzburg, Merveldt said: “I want to sincerely thank the owners of Esporim for giving me the opportunity to ride their wonderful Lusitano stallion. They are great people to work with.

“I’m very happy with Esporim’s debut international freestyle today. The Spanish-themed freestyle programme really suited him and his excellent temperament gives me so much confidence for the future. He is only a 10-year-old and there is so much more to come. What a little trojan!”

Merveldt’s winter campaign almost didn’t get started at all when she was injured in a freak fall from a horse in early October. A hairline fracture to her right elbow coupled with a large and painful haematoma on her upper right leg kept the Irish rider out of action for nearly a month.

Back in the saddle for less than three weeks, she secured two top five placings at the four-star show in Munich, Germany last month.