ONLOOKERS were treated to three days of top-class show jumping as the Longines Global Champions Tour moved to Monte Carlo, Monaco at the weekend. Irish riders gave a good account of themselves at the top level, with Tipperary’s Denis Lynch securing two top-five placings on different horses and Susan Fitzpatrick performing well for her Scandinavian Vikings team on board Lovely Stassi PS.

Thursday’s first Global Champions Tour individual competition, a 1.60m speed class, saw Michael Pender place eighth with HHS Cyprus, when they picked up a single time penalty. Seven of the 19 starters kept all the poles intact, with Martin Fuchs (SUI) on Fortjump du Beaumenil taking the win in the fastest time of 63.32 seconds. Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt on Oreo DR finished exactly a second behind in 64.32 for second place, with Kristen Vanderveen (USA) on Bull Run’s Jireh completing the podium in third in 65.07.