AOIFE Clark battled to an excellent runner-up finish at the CCI*** event at Ravenna in Italy last weekend, coming home just over half a point behind the winner. Dublin-born Clark was riding the John Forde and Cressida Legge-owned Irish Sport Horse Wasting Light and held 12th position after a dressage score of 50.50 on the opening day. Clark and Wasting Light – who is just an eight-year-old, shot up the leaderboard after producing the best cross country round of the competition, adding just six penalties when 15 seconds over the tight optimum time.

Italy’s Vittoria Panizzon with Borough Penny Z, held the tightest of margins over Clark heading into the final show jumping phase. The Irish rider pilled on the pressure with a superb clear jumping round to leave her on a final total of 56.50 with Wasting Light, however Panizzon kept her composure to also return with a clear round on the winning score of 55.80.