CLARE’S David Blake had a top-class outing at Tryon’s two-star show last week, recording two wins, as well as a second, a third and a fourth. Week five of the Summer Series at Tryon International in North Carolina, USA, ran from July 7th-12th and included some two-star classes.

Blake had started as he meant to go on, when winning the $6,000 1.40m two-phase class on Wednesday with Elton PZ. There were 17 starters in the class, 10 of whom jumped clear in the first round, with five completing double clears. Blake’s time of 28.86 was the winning one, with Richie Moloney following in fifth place on board Skelwith Diamond Lady in a time of 36.22. Moloney also placed joint seventh with Zazu BW and Blake also took 10th place riding Max van de Marijenhoeve.

Blake’s winning roll continued on Thursday, when he claimed first place in the $32,000 Welcome Stake class on board Gucci Des Embruns. Just five of the 23 starters jumped clear for the chance to jump again, with only two double clears recorded. One of these was Blake, whose time of 35.99 proved to be the fastest, with Jacqueline Ruyle (USA) on Cyramo Z claiming second place in a time of 38.02, with the only other double clear. Blake also placed third in the class with Max van de Marijenhoeve.

Friday saw a second-place finish for Blake in the $6,000 1.45m Speed Stake class, when riding Elton PZ to a clear round in 71.76. First place went to John Brown (GBR) on Ballon Bleu. Blake just missed out on a podium place in Saturday’s 21-strong $70,000 Grand Prix, placing fourth with Gucci Des Embruns. He also took sixth place on board Max van de Marijenhoeve. The class saw only two clear first rounds, from Gwyneth Babington (USA) on Filou Moussardiere and Andrea Torres (COL) on Romeo C. Torres retired from the jump-off, while Babington completed a double clear round, leaving her as the clear winner. Gwyneth Babington is the daughter of former Irish international show jumper Kevin Babington.