A double clear from Wexford show jumper Bertram Allen and Izzy By Picobello ensured Valkenswaard United their third win of the season in the Global Champions League team contest in Monte Carlo yesterday.

Ireland’s Trevor Breen claimed a thrilling victory in the Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby yesterday as defending champion Phillip Miller was agonisingly denied a second successive triumph.

The first Irish equines exported to China under a ground-breaking protocol signed last July arrived last Monday.