Mayo’s Jonathan Gordon wins Belgian Grand Prix while Conor Swail finishes third in Florida

Ireland’s Jonathan Gordon and the 10-year-old mare Dorotheental’s Classica stormed to victory in Sunday’s two-star Grand Prix at Lier in Belgium. One of nine combinations to make it through to the jump-off, Mayo-born Gordon crossed the line clear in 36.63 seconds in the second round to take victory. He has almost a second to spare over Dutch runner-up Sanne Thijssen with Con Quidam DB while third place went to Italy’s Antonio Alfonso and Charmie.

Conor Swail and GK Coco Chanel (Photo: Sportfot)

Meanwhile at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida, Co Down’s Conor Swail and GK Coco Chanel finished third in the three-star $137,000 Restylane Grand Prix. British Olympic team gold medalist Ben Maher and the 18-year-old stallion Tic Tac edged the competition by just one one-hundredth of a second to take top honours ahead of Canadian runner-up Eric Lamaze with Fine Lady 5.