ITALIAN-based Irish rider James Connor and his 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding Casino’ Royal scored 66.55% to place second in the Grand Prix Special at the CDI*** show in Caselle Di Sommacampagna, Italy, last Saturday.

Lastt Friday, Connor and Casino’ Royal placed fifth in the Grand Prix on only their second international outing this year. In his debut season in 2014 at big tour level, Casino’ Royal showed great promise when qualifying as a nine-year-old to be a member of Team Ireland at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy.