IRISH riders had great success at two-star level at a number of shows, including Ocala in Florida (USA), Caledon in Ontario (Canada) and Zuidwolde in The Netherlands.

Cork’s Simon McCarthy took the top spot in the two-star $85,000 FEI Modelo 1.45m Grand Prix at Ocala on Saturday, when he rode Liston Johnson’s Igor GPH to a double clear round in a jump-off time of 39.74 to finish over two seconds ahead of runner-up Chloe Reid (USA) on Dreagonball, who stopped the clock in 42.01. McCarthy and Igor GPH claimed the $25,500 first prize for their first international Grand Prix win together.

From the 44 starters, only five jumped clear within the time allowed to book a place in the jump-off and only McCarthy and Reid managed to remain fault-free second time round, with McCarthy clocking the faster time to secure first place.

“We haven’t done so many jump-offs,” he said, “but I had the numbers that I wanted to do everywhere, and it all came up easily for me. He jumped even better in the second round than he did in the first round. It’s nice to know he likes to fight in the jump-offs as much as I do.

“I have two great horses right now, Igor and [Narcotique v/h Dingenshof]. I’m incredibly grateful to Brookside Pine Farms and Berry Porter for acquiring the horse, and to Liston and Victoria Johnson for buying the horse for me to compete. I know Liston’s going to want to take it off me sooner rather than later if he keeps winning these classes, but it’s an incredible opportunity to have a horse like this, and I’m just so grateful that they believe in me and they’re really standing behind me.”

Caledon

Meanwhile, in Canada, Derry’s Daniel Coyle was at the two-star show at Caledon in Ontario and won the two-star $42,500 Kubota and Stewarts Equipment Grand Prix riding Urville Z, owned by Ariel Grange.

The pair have been together a relatively short time and have already secured numerous wins and placings. There were 20 starters in the class, just four of whom jumped clear in round one for the chance to jump again. Three jumped clear again, with Coyle’s time of 36.13 just edging ahead of Vaclav Stanek (CZE) on Langley, who clocked 36.41. Susan Horn (CAN) was third on Dominka van de Lucashoeve (40.18).

Zuidwolde

And, in Zuidwolde, Cork’s Abbie Sweetnam was runner-up in Friday’s two-star 1.45m Gold Tour Grand Prix qualifier with Kiritan, when double clear in 36.53. They were only outdone by Ansgar Holtgers Jr (USA) on Kantibes (35.57).

The Irish pair were fourth in the two-star 1.45m Gemeente De Wolden Prize Grand Prix on Sunday, when double clear in 39.25.