Richie Moloney takes second place in $205,000 Grand Prix in Florida as Denis Lynch finishes fifth

Irish riders’ good form at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida, USA continued tonight (Sunday), with Kilkenny’s Richie Moloney taking second place in the four-star $205,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix.

Richie Moloney with Carrabis Z who is owned by Equinimity LLC (Photo: Sportfot)

Moloney and the 15-year-old stallion Carrabis Z were among 12 combinations who jumped clear in the opening round and drawn last to go against the clock, they crossed the line clear in 43.16 seconds to take runner-up spot. Tipperary’s Denis Lynch also made it into the jump-off with RMF Echo and they clocked the fastest four fault score in the second round (41.27) to take fifth overall.

American rider Beezie Madden took the winners prize of over $67,000 after jumping clear in 40.49 with Breitling LS, while Moloney collected $41,000 in second ahead of Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) with Cristalline in third.

On Saturday night in Wellington, the Irish team finished as runners-up in the Nations Cup competition where victory went to Great Britain.