THERE was a strong Irish flavour to the five-star $340,000 MLSJ Grand Prix at Traverse City, Michigan on Saturday, as French rider Nina Mallevaey steered the Irish Sport Horse mare, My Clementine (OBOS Quality x Kashmir Van Schuttershof), bred by the late David Prentice, to victory in a time of 40.56 for a prize pot of $102,000. Cork’s Shane Sweetnam and another Irish Sport Horse, James Kann Cruz (Kannan x Cruising), bred by Patrick Connolly, was less than half a second behind in 40.97 for third. Kent Farrington (USA) on Greya slotted into second place (40.66). Only five of the 29 starters had jumped clear in round one to proceed to the jump-off.

“I’m so happy for Clementine,” said Mallevaey, who is currently the world’s highest-ranked female rider at 10th in the ranking list. “I think she deserves this win more than anyone. She’s been fighting for me since I’ve had her and I’m so happy to give her this win. She’s such a fighter. She’s not the scopiest horse, but she has a huge heart, she always tries her best, she’s the best and she really deserves it.”