DAVID Blake posted a series of good results at the concluding CSI3* of the Tryon Summer Series in North Carolina last week, before heading an Irish one-two in the Grand Prix. The Clare native got off the mark by winning the opening class, a three-star 1.40m two phase, when he jumped the only double clear in the class. He followed that up by finishing second and fourth in the three-star $32,000 1.45m two phase class with Gucci Des Embruns and Max Van De Marijenhoeve respectively. Samuel Parot sandwiched Blake by finishing in first and third position of the 13 starters.

Blake was back on the podium the following day when he rode Pine Hollow Farm’s Gucci Des Embruns into third place in the three-star $32,000 1.50m Welcome Stake class. From a start list of 14, just two combinations left all the rails intact in the first round, and the Irish rider earned $4,800 for finishing as fastest four-faulter. The jump-off went the way of the USA’s Jacqueline Ruyle and H Cornetta DK.