TWO Irish Sport Horses finished on the podium in the final American leg of the Longines FEI World Cup series at Live Oak in Ocala, Florida last Sunday.

In a superb result for Irish breeding, the stallion Codarco – who is still just a nine-year-old, finished as runner-up with American rider Chloe Reid.

Codarco, by Darco out of a dam by Orame, was bred by Thomas O’Brien from Co Galway and this result for Reid was even more special because it took place on her family’s farm at Live Oak.

Nineteen-year-old college student Reid commented: “I jumped Codarco mostly aiming him for the Grand Prix. In the first class in the morning I just jumped a few jumps and retired and then came in the class this afternoon with the object of having a smooth clear ride.

“But he’s so much fun with his big open stride that you get on this grass field and it’s hard to slow down.”

Only three combinations managed to jump double clear rounds in the World Cup class with the last place on the podium going to The Irish Sport Horse Dougie Douglas with Katie Dinan. The pair have hit the ground running since the son of Douglas, purchased at Goresbridge Supreme Sale of show jumpers last November.

“I believe this was our fifth competition together. I’m really grateful that so far, he’s been just wonderful,” she said. “He’s so much fun to ride, he has a great personality, he seems to love show jumping, he has a lot of experience, which I feel very fortunate I can draw off of because he’s been to a lot of different venues.

“He’s jumped on a lot of grass fields, and that was one of the reasons why I decided to bring him to Live Oak because this is as beautiful as a grass field as there is to ride on, and I thought it would be a really good venue for him.”

The winner’s prize went to Marilyn Little and Corona 93. The 34-year-old multi-discipline American rider was a double-gold medallist in eventing at the 2015 Pan American Games.

Cian O’Connor was the sole Irish representative in the Ocala World Cup class riding the nine-year-old gelding Callisto. They produced a perfect clear in the opening round to take their place in the 10 horse jump-off, where one fence down saw them finish in seventh place overall.

In an earlier 1.50m speed class at Live Oak, The Irish Sport Horse Codarco finished as runner-up with the in-form Chloe Reid.