Cian O'Connor's top horse, Waterford Crystal made its first 2006 appearance at 1m50 level in Lummen, Belgium today, and jumped a double clear, to finish second behind Belgium's Ludo Philippaerts.
O'Connor and the 15 year-old gelding are competing as individuals at the Belgian Nations' Cup venue, but the combination is slotted in for the Nations' Cup squad at Falsterbo, Sweden in a fortnight's time.
Waterford Crystal's last major competition result was a second place in the Frankfurt, Germany, Grand Prix last December, though O'Connor also jumped a clear round on the horse to finish tenth in a 1m45 class in Rotterdam last week.
Earlier at Lummen today, meanwhile, Ireland's Marion Hughes finished equal fourth in the 1m50 class with Heritage Transmission.
The Lummen Nations' Cup will be held tomorrow.
