LIMERICK’s Paul O’Shea made his long trip from Florida to California worthwhile last weekend when he collected $120,000 aftering finishing on the podium in the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS Coachella.

Riding the 10-year-old gelding Skara Glen’s Presence (Contendro x Nekton), who is owned by Michael Hayden, Hampton Farms, Marcia Radosevich and Skara Glen Stables, O’Shea was one of six combinations to jump clear over the first round of Mark McGowan’s track.

The pair returned as the fastest four faults in the second round to finish in third place and take a healthy pay cheque back to his base in Wellington, Florida. The winner’s prize of $350,000 went to Egypt’s Nayel Nassar riding the experienced 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding Lordan.

The combination were also victorious in the Longines FEI Thermal World Cup Qualifier in early February and hadn’t jumped at a show since. “I only jumped the World Cup week here – that was his first show of the year,” said the 27-year-old rider said afterwards. “We just try to keep him fresh and happy, and hopefully he comes out and does his job.”

Australia’s Rowan Willis took the runner-up spot and $200,000 with Blue Movie.

Antrim pony rider Annie Courtney Cadam is also competing at the desert tour in California and she was the winner of two classes. She won the Under 15 class with Favourit as well as placing third with Peninsula Rua, before going on to win the Classic Final with Peninsula Rua to round off a great trip.