With the nine year-old stallion 'Je t'Aime Flamenco', the 32 year-old Cork-born rider was one of just three competitors to record a clear round first time out, and rode a careful second round to repeat his fault-free score, pipping Switzerland's Christina Liebherr to the trophy when she fell foul of her first-round single time fault.

Afterwards Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh congratulated Billy Twomey and said: "This was an outstanding victory in one of Europe's most important Grands Prix, and Billy was up against some of the world's most talented riders. It is also a phenomenal achievement for a nine year-old horse and augurs well for the Irish team in the future".

Ireland's Denis Lynch also collected the Leading Rider award at St. Gallen today.