CO Down’s Jenny Rankin beat a star studded line-up to win last Friday’s Grand Prix qualifier at the two-star show in Sentower Park, Belgium.

The 21-year-old, who is based at Bourns Sport Horses in Galway, guided Richard Bourns’ 11-year-old mare Baccarat (Coltaire Z x Precioso) to the quickest round in a time of 61.67 seconds in the massive 72-strong class.

Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts took the runner-up placing with Isoline Van Dorperheide in 62.30 and Germany’s Marcus Ehning was third with the wonderful Cornado NRW (0/ 63.14).

Rankin was fifth in Friday’s five and six-year-old one-star young horse class with the Irish Sport Horse Galway Pandora (Peter Pan x Darco), clear in 63 seconds.

Wexford’s Bertram Allen was best of the Irish in the two-star Grand Prix at Sentower Park last Sunday when placing third with Ballywalter Farm’s GK Casper (Canto x Quantum).

The nine-year-old gelding was one of nine clears from the 54-strong startlist and a second clear round in the jump-off saw him stop the clock in 42.18 seconds to slot into third place and pick up over €3,000.

Egypt’s Abdel Said won the class with Jackson de Regor (Vagabond de La Pomme x Querlybet Hero) in 40.41, ahead of Belgium Kevin Gielen and Captain (Contendro I x Caretino), clear in 42.06 seconds.

Allen made his first appearance with new mount Gin Chin Van Het Lindenhof (Chin Chin x Calido I). The 11-year-old grey gelding has been partnered by Allen’s mentor and German show jumping superstar Marcus Ehning since 2015. He has been placed in five-star Grands Prix around the world, including fifth at London Olympia last December and second in Treffen in June.

Allen also got back in the ring with Hector van d’Abdijhoeve at Sentower. His European Championship mount jumped in a 1.30m and 1.35m class and was clear both days.