In one of the final trials ahead of the selection of the Irish eventing team heading to the World Equestrian Games in September Sarah Ennis claimed victory in the CIC3* class at the Fernhill Sport Horses International at Kilguilkey International in Mallow, Co Cork.

The Co Meath rider and her long standing partner Horseware Stellor Rebound, were the only combination to complete the cross country inside the optimum time and finish on their dressage score of 28.2.

The 13-year-old gelding has numerous good results to his name, finishing seventh at the European Championships last year and six second place finishes at CIC3* level in the last four years, including coming second in opening leg of the Event Rider Masters at Chatsworth earlier this year.

Cathal Daniels also had a strong performance with Sammy Davis Junior in the same class, adding 2.4 time penalties cross country to leave him in second place. This placing comes on the back on the same combination winning one of the CIC3* divisions Chatsworth earlier this summer. Joseph Murphy and Sportsfield Othello finished in third.

Team manager Sally Corscadden is set to name her team for the World Equestrian Games in the coming weeks. The team is being named earlier than normal due to the tight restrictions of what can be brought into the South Carolina venue and the logistics of getting the horses, riders and grooms to the games.

The CIC2* division was the only class not to be won by an Irish rider. New Zealand’s Kevin McNab, riding the 11 year-old gelding Willunga, only added one time penalty in the show jumping phase to win the class.

Cathal Daniels continued his good form coming home in second place with OLS King Aragon and in fourth with LEB Lias Jewel. Luke Coen filled third place with Stroke of Genuis.