Cian O'Connor made a big impact on the first international outing with his new chestnut mare K Club Lady, taking third place on Sunday in the Lummen Grand Prix in Belgium.
O'Connor recorded one of only three double clears in the eight-horse jump-off, but was unable to match the time of Dutch winner Harrie Smolders and Exquis Walnut de Muze.
Army rider Captain David O'Brien also produced a fine performance on the Minister for Defence's Irish-bred Cruising mare Mo Chroi, faulting once in the jump-off on an otherwise fast time, and having to settle for fifth.
Meanwhile Meath's John Floody finally secured the HSI Chippison Spring Tour Leading Rider title on Sunday at Coilog Equestrian Centre in County Kildare with a Grand Prix second place on Michael Smith's nine year-old gelding Larkhill Cruiser.
The runner-up spot, behind today's winner Paul O'Shea and Day Dream St Ghyvan Z, yielded sufficient points to take the Slane rider well clear of his nearest challenger Ger O'Neill, who placed fifth at Coilog with Paul O'Byrne's Cassidee.
Floody ended the 13-leg series with 56 points, while O'Neill had 36.5.
Afterwards Floody said: ‘I'm absolutely delighted. Ger O'Neill put me under terrific pressure with two horses going clear today, but
Larkhill Cruiser coped very well with the pressure and I'm very
happy with him.'
The HSI Chippison 2010 Spring Tour Young Rider title went to Conor Drain, with Larkhill Cruiser taking the Leading Irish Sport Horse award and Jim Monks's Ashbourne receiving the Leading Horse trophy.
