IT was a stellar weekend for Irish show jumpers in every part of America, with Captain Brian Cournane and David Blake winning in Old Salam and Tryon respectively.

Cournane’s victory came in last Friday’s two-star $35,000 New York Welcome Stakes aboard Armik. One of 20 riders in the jump-off, Cournane’s time of 42.35 seconds was faster than Katie Dinan in second with the Irish Sport Horse Dougie Douglas (Ard VDL Douglas x High Roller), bred by John O’Brien.