Irish riders boost rankings in Florida

Three Irish riders were in the prize money at last night's World Cup Grand Prix in Wellington, Florida, but it was Britain's Scott Brash who took victory with Sanctos Van Het Gravenhof in an 11-horse jump off.

Galway's Andrew Bourns and the Clover Hill gelding Roundthorn Madios were first to go clear in the second round, but Tipperary's Kevin Babington, making a welcome return to international Grand Prix top tens, took the course just over a second faster on the Irish-bred gelding Mark Q.

Babington eventually finished best of the Irish in fifth place, with Bourns claiming seventh.

Conor Swail from Co. Down and Oceane de Nantuel completed the course in 11th from a field of 45 with a single fence down in the jump off.

Riders from six nations took part in last night's four-star Grand Prix, which carried World Cup ranking points.