FEMALE riders took the top three places in this afternoon's Rolex World Cup Qualifier competition at Leipzig in Germany, but it was Ireland's Jessica Kurten who claimed the 39,600 euro top prize when she triumphed over Australia's Edwina Alexander and France's Pénélope Leprovost in a 15 horse jump-off.

The five-star competition saw 40 starters, but Kurten was the only Irish rider to make it to the jump-off when both Cian O'Connor and Denis Lynch faulted in the first round.

Riding Lady Georgina Forbes's mare 'Castle Forbes Libertina', who has just recently returned to the international circuit after an injury lay-off, the 40 year-old Antrim-born rider shaded Australian challenger Alexander by just a fifth of a second in the final round.

The victory also leapfrogs Kurten to second place in the Rolex World Cup Western European League standings, just six points behind Dutch leader Eric van der Vleuten.

She said after the victory: "All I can say is I'm very happy - she is an amazing horse."