KILKENNY show jumper Susan Fitzpatrick landed a four-star victory in Rouen, France, last Friday aboard the eight-year-old gelding Keatingstown Skorphults Joker.

From a big class of 50 starters, the pair were the fastest of 17 clear rounds in 56.94 seconds to earn €2,000.

The home nation filled the next six places, led by Melanie Cloarec in the runner-up position with Chidame Z (0/ 57.06) and Jeremy Le Roy in third place with Baccara de l’Aubepine (0/ 57.09).

With just two horses at the venue, Fitzpatrick was out of luck in Sunday’s four-star 1.55m Grand Prix, picking up nine faults with Verdict de Kezeg.

Victory went to the home nation with Valentin Besnard produced the only clear rounds against the clock with the 10-year-old gelding Beau Gosse du Park.

Eight combinations made it through to the jump-off and runner-up Gilles Thomas of Belgium beat the winning time by over 10 seconds with Luna van het Dennehof, however none could leave all the poles standing. The Netherlands’ Kevin Jochems slotted into third with Emmerton (0/4 35.24).