MEATH’S Alexander Butler took fourth place in Sunday’s three-star 1.55m Grand Prix of Samorin, riding Ti Amo B Z. Of the 50 starters, there were 12 who jumped clear in the first round, with 11 jumping again and five recording double clears. Butler and his mount were among these, stopping the jump-off clock in a time of 41.77 seconds. Austria’s Katharina Rhomberg on Colestus Cambridge won the class in a time of 40.31.

The Longines EEF Nations Cup Bratislava Semi Final was held at Samorin in Slovakia from July 9th to 12th, with a number of Irish riders in attendance. It was a Nations Cup show, but Ireland did not field a team.

The opening Gold Tour 1.45m two-phase class saw Butler on Tequila des Sequoias Z place fifth, ahead of Francis Derwin on Marble Arch in sixth.

On the podium

Sunday’s 1.45m Silver Tour Final speed class saw Derwin and Marble Arch finish on the podium in third place, when clear in 68.13. The winning time of 64.54 was recorded by Natalie Kovarova (CZE) on My Hawk S Cujo.

Derwin followed up with a seventh-place finish in the one-star 1.40m Big Tour Final Grand Prix on board Nolle, when they completed a double clear in 41.38. Ramzy Al Duhami (KSA) on Addressee won the class in a time of 37.72.