CLARE’S Philip McGuane came out on top of the $116,050 Core Insurance Grand Prix at the three-star fixture at Saugerties on Saturday. Of the 31 starters, 16 proceeded to the jump-off, with three retiring and five completing double clear rounds.

Riding Crislin van den Bosrand Z, a nine-year-old mare, McGuane posted the fastest of the double clears in a time of 35.75 seconds to claim the $34,815 top prize. Mimi Gochman (USA) on Inclen BH was next best, stopping the clock in 36.49.

McGuane said afterwards: “There were more jump-off qualifiers than I thought there would be. I got a good draw, going at the end of the jump-off, so I just tried to keep up a good rhythm, keep my turns neat and just trust her at the jump. She has a big stride, so I can just get her to the jumps and do less strides than most people.”

Placings

The three-star show at HITS (Horses In The Sun) Hudson Valley, Saugerties in New York ran from July 21st to 26th, with FEI classes commencing on Wednesday with the $31,020 Equestrian Gardens FEI Jumper Classic. McGuane rode Donvier into fourth place with a double clear in a time of 27.72, while Nicky Galligan on the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Lougherne Kingfisher wasn’t far behind in sixth place (27.89).

Thursday saw the $62,480 FEI Welcome class take place, with a start list of 35. Jordan Coyle finished on the podium in third riding For Gold and also placed ninth on board Dexterity Z. Stephen Moore was 10th with Pearl Gem VDM.

Friday’s 27-strong $31,020 Go Rentals Jumper class saw McGuane take fifth place with Donvier, when they jumped double clear in a time of 39.13. The class was won by Megan McDermott (USA) on Nintendo in 35.78.