IRISH riders featured in the $35,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix at Wellington International last weekend, taking two of the top six placings.

A total of 32 competitors went to post, with 11 returning for the jump-off. Leading the victory lap was USA’s Alison Robitaille riding her own Ester De Maugre, with a clear time of 31.969 seconds.

Taking second place was Offaly’s Darragh Kenny and Heathman Farm LLC’s Hamrah Van Het Exelhof Z, clear in 32.51, while Andrew Bourns slotted into third aboard his own Irish Sport Horse gelding Sea Topblue (Chacco Blue x Lux Z), bred by John and James Meade (0/0 32.83). Kenny also took seventh place with Halita BH, when he delivered another double clear in 33.35.

The Irish flag flew high on Friday as Simon McCarthy and Conor Swail took their places in the winner’s circle in the $10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Open Jumper Stake.

A large field of 65 horse-and-rider combinations stepped out on the field that morning, but McCarthy and Andy’s Boy Bretoniere topped the leaderboard after clearing the jump-off in 31.43 seconds.

Swail claimed second place with Count Me In, when he delivered a double clear in a time of 32.21 seconds and also claimed third aboard Asta Torokvei’s Gamble in 32.28 seconds.

Swail was best of the Irish in the $146,000 1.60m three-star Grand Prix, claiming eight with Casturano when picking up four faults in the first round. Shane Sweetnam was 10th aboard Holliewood, also finishing with four faults.

There were just four clears in the first round and victory eventually went to Israel’s Ashlee Bond aboard her experienced gelding Donatello 141 (0/0 38.92). Crowning a good show, Alison Robilaille was second with the British-bred Oakingham Lira.