WITH a total of 200,000 euro on offer in prize money the competition was fierce for the top places in this afternoon's (Sunday) Longines Grand Prix, the final international class of the Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show, and two Irish riders, Billy Twomey and Denis Lynch, claimed a sizable share of the spoils with a third and sixth place, respectively.

The top prize of 66,500 euro went to the USA's McLain Ward and the much-fancied grey gelding 'Antares F', who recorded one of just six double clears in the 40-strong competition.

Cork-born Twomey and his bay stallion 'Je t'Aime Flamenco' picked up 26,000 euro for a third place, while Tipperary's Denis Lynch and Thomas Straumann's 'Nabab's Son' were the last of the double clears amongst the ten combinations through to the final round, with a slower time producing 11,500 euro for sixth overall.

Co. Down's Dermott Lennon and Woods Rosbotham's 'Hallmark Elite' finished in 11th place as the fastest of the first round's four-faulters, but were just outside the prize money.
 

Billy Twomey