FOR the third week-in-a-row, an Irish rider won the opening speed class of the week at Wellington’s Winter Equestrian Festival, this time it was the turn of Ronan McGuigan and his Baloubet de Rouet gelding Capall Zidane.

Tyrone-born McGuigan and Capall Zidane had already scored a win during week five at WEF and after a few days off, the 11-year-old gelding returned with a victory in the 1.45m jump-off.