DERMOTT Lennon and Cian O'Connor were in masterly form at the Madrid Grand Prix this afternoon (Saturday) with Lennon taking third place and O'Connor fifth.

With ten through to the jump-off from a starting field of 42, Lennon took an early lead with his second clear round on Woods Rosbotham's gelding 'Hallmark Elite', but was soon overtaken by Italian winner Emilio Bicocchi with the French-bred 'Kapitol d'Argonne' and Dutch runner-up Harrie Smolders riding the Nabab de Reve gelding 'Exquis Walnut de Muze'.

O'Connor took a careful line with Michael Smurfit's mare 'K Club Lady', once again producing a zero score, and finishing fifth overall.

O'Connor will be flying to Kentucky later this month for the show jumping phases of the World Equestrian Games, which begin on October 4. He will be joined by fellow squad members Denis Lynch, Bily Twomey and two horse-and-rider combinations to be announced by Team Ireland Equestrian's show jumping manager Robert Splaine at a press conference in Dublin on Monday afternoon.

Dermott Lennon