Ireland’s Kevin Babington kept up his sparkling form at the four-star show in Ocala, Florida with a second place in tonight's Grand Prix.
Following their two clear rounds in Friday's US Nations' Cup that helped the Irish team claim outright victory, Tipperary-born Babington tonight again partnered the ten-year-old mare Shorapur, and came within a fifth of a second of claiming the first prize.
Delivering a foot-perfect clear first round, the Pennsylvania-based Irish rider was one of seven combinations through to the jump-off from a starting field of 39.
He then took the lead with yet another zero-penalty performance in the second round when third-last to jump.
However, US Olympian Laura Kraut and her experienced 17-year-old grey gelding Cedric managed to nudge Babington into the runner-up spot and took €36,000 along with the Grand Prix winner's trophy.
Babington settled for the €22,000 second place prize.
