CARLOW-based John Tilley took the win in the EI110 (Open) at the second event held by Will Kearney at Frankfort Stud this year. Riding Grand Espoir, with whom he won the EI110 National Championships in 2024, they put in the fastest cross-country round in the class, which allowed him to hang on to his dressage lead despite incurring four faults in the show jumping phase. There was a margin of almost 20 penalties between Tilley and the second-placed combination of Momo Sheehy and Da Vinci, while Daniel Alderson and Elegant Philly finished third.

“I was over the moon with Grand Espoir,” said Tilley after his win. “He spent last season in the UK with his owners, but he’s now back at Kilkenny International to campaign this year. ‘Arthur’ is an exceptional talent. I’ve competed up to EI115 on him and been placed in numerous two-stars, so I’m really looking forward to stepping him up a level in the next few weeks.”