JESSICA Kurten chalked up her first major top five finish at San Patrignano, Italy when placing third in tonight's (Saturday) speed class with Lady Georgina Forbes's Dollar Du Murier mare 'Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois'.

The Antrim-born rider collected 4,500 euro when she stopped the clock just under two seconds shy of German winner Christian Ahlmann and his 13 year-old gelding 'Perry Lee', with Belgium's Francois Mathy Junior taking second place on 'Theodoor'.

Kurten will also be hoping for a share of the 200,000 euro prize money up for grabs in Sunday night's five-star Grand Prix, which starts at 8.30pm Irish time in the northern Italian venue.
 

Jessica Kurten