BANDON-based Michael Ryan was best of the Irish at the close of the hotly-contested Eventing World Cup Qualifier at Tattersalls, Co. Meath today (Sunday), claiming a third place with the Irish-bred 'Ballylynch Adventure'.

And it was a triumphant day for Irish-bred horses, with seven in the top ten, including the Cruising gelding 'Ashdale Cruise Master', ridden to victory this afternoon by British star Oliver Townend.

A total of six Irish riders made it through to the top ten after four days of gruelling competition that left only 16 international combinations to contest the final show jumping phase.

Britain took the top two places, with veteran Mary King and 'Apache Sauce' just seven points adrift of winner Townend, while last year's defending champion, Patricia Ryan with 'Fernhill Clover Mist' had to settle for 14th overall.

Husband Michael, however, who finished second in 2009, led an Irish assault on the leaderboard that saw Aoife Clarke and the Irish-bred 'Master Crusoe' in fifth, with Irish horses and riders accounting for four other places in the top ten finishers.

In the two-star event at Tattersalls, which was won by New Zealand's Andrew Nicholson on 'Quimbo', Carlow's Sam Watson was best of the Irish with a fourth place on the Irish-bred 'Hoyo'.
 

Michael Ryan