Kurten third in German Grand Prix qualifier

Jessica Kurten was in the prize money at Kiel, Germany last night with a noteworthy third place in the Grand Prix Qualifier.

The Antrim-born rider, who will turn 39 later this month, registered 67.87 seconds against the clock in the 1m50 competition on Lady Georgina Forbes's nine year-old Calvaro mare Castle Forbes Cadeau Z, over five seconds behind the scorching finish of Danish winner Soren Pedersen.

The third place puts Kurten in strong contention for the 50,000 euro HSH Nordbank Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon.

She is joined at the four-star show in Kiel by fellow Irish rider Eoin Ryan.

First Qualification for HSH Nordbank Grand Prix Table A Art. 238.2.1 1m50 Friday, November 14:

1) Lobster; Soren Pedersen (DEN) Faults 0.00 Time 62.73

2) Cash Junior; Gert-Jan Bruggink (NED) Faults 0.00 Time 67.29

3) Castle Forbes Cadeau Z; Jessica Kurten (IRL) Faults 0.00 Time 67.87