Irish riders dominate Puissance competition in Liverpool

Irish riders totally dominated the Puissance competition in the City Centre Echo Arena, Liverpool on Friday night with Peter Smyth winning the 11-runner event on Mary McCarthy's Cavalier Rusticana.

Co Tyrone-based Smyth posted the only clear in the fourth jump-off round with the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse, clearing the red wall at 2.16m. Co Tipperary native Shane Breen had to settle for second when taking a brick out on Gotti van Paemel.

Denis Lynch (Garkus van het Indihof), Anthony Condon (Hadine van't Zorgvliet) and 17-year-old Co Antrim rider Chris Megahey (on the Irish-bred Seapatrick Cruise Cavalier) shared third to six places with Britain's James Smith (Tyson Uno) when faulting in the third jump-off.

Earlier in the day, Cameron Hanley lost his Nations' Cup ride Antello Z which could not be saved having suffered an injury in the 1.45m two-phase class. The 42-year-old Co Mayo rider was uninjured in the incident. The combination won at the recent five-star show in Stuttgart.