International action kicked off at Millstreet CSI*** last Thursday with 31 combinations batting out in the 1.50m Grand Prix qualifier where Britain's Louise Saywell took the honours with the 15-year-old stallion Mr Darcy. Saywell galloped home clear in 71.36 seconds while England's Holly Smith took second with Lammy Beach in 76.08. Best of the Irish was Sophie Dalm and Remake Lanke, fractions behind in 76.98.

In the two-phase competition, Irish riders dominated with Jordan Coyle and Amigo vh Winkenshof Z claiming victory, clear in 34.71. Britain's Beth Vernon and Omane des Faux were fractions behind in 34.78. Angela Percy crossed the line with Westland Ruby in 35.73.

Swiss course designer Gerard Lachat set the challenge for 36 combinations in the 1.50 Longines World Ranking class County Down's Dermott Lennon took the honours and just over €8,000.

First to go, Saywell and Mr Darcy put it up to the rest when they delivered a double clear in 39.45, which would later prove good enough for third. Next to go riding Fleur IV, Lennon had his foot firmly to the floor to clock the unbeatable time of 39.05. Double handed in the jump-off, Holly Smith delivered her best result with Quality Old Joker when they clocked 39.30 for second.

Top six

The 1.40m International Table C class saw Irish riders occupy the top six placings. Leading the victory lap was Francis Connors and Uskerty Diamond Lady, fastest of the clears in 68.29. Luke Campbell and Premier Sport were the only other clear in 69.23 for second place while Shane Goggins and UFO were fastest of the four-faulters in 72.63 for third.

Saturday's 1.50m Masters was dominated by two British riders who filled the top four spots. Laura Renwick and MHS Washington (ISH) were double clear in 43.91, while Louise Saywell delivered a double clear with Mr Darcy in 44.10. Not content with second, Saywell also took third place with Patrol, clear in 49.43. Renwick was back in the ribbons when taking fourth with Utrillo de Breve, carrying four faults in 41.25.

Placed second to Francis Connors in the 1.40m Table C on Friday, Luke Campbell changed things around as he took the honours in the 1.35m Speed Derby. Riding Premier Sport, Campbell clocked the winning time of 113.45, over two seconds faster than Connors who clocked 115.28. In third place was Britain's Lance Whitehouse and Dior V Overis Z. fractions behind in 123.47.

Young horse finals

Last Friday, the young horses contested the final rounds. In the Small Horse Young Irelander final (loose jumping), the winner when awarded a score of 93 marks was Catriona Redmond’s three-year old Lissaro van de Helle-sired gelding Nitto. Later on that evening, all eyes were on the 19 finalists in the Young Horse Young Irelander. Following some tough judging, it was Ralph Morgan’s Irish Sport Horse Orestus Clover that took the win on a final mark of 92.5. By Orestus (KWPN), the chesnut mare is out of a Clover Hill mare by Golden Beaker.

The winner of Saturday's Small Horse Discovery final was Elisa O'Connor's five-year-old mare Qilean Honey on a score of 90.5. Victory in the Horse Discovery final (4yo) went to DJ O’Sullivan riding Caraghs Carel. By Harlequin Du Carel out of a King's Master mare, the gelding scored a total of 121.5 points.

The young horses were back in action in Sunday's hotly contested Millstreet Ruby five-year-old Grand Prix final. Taking the honours and the lion’s share of the €8,000 prize money was Meath rider Gerard Clarke. Riding Jockeyhall Midas Touch, Clarke galloped home with nothing to add in 39.61. Britain's Laura Renwick was fractions behind with MHS San Francisco in 39.69 for second place, ahead of Christian Coyle and KBS Premier Balou in 39.91.

The Boomerang Grand Prix Final (for 6/7yo horses) proved popular with the top 35 combinations battling it out for €10,000. It has been a great few weeks for young rider Michael Pender and he certainly topped it off as he rode to victory with his mother Annemarie’s six-year-old mare Rainstown Majestic. Going late in the six-year-old section, Pender set off in a blistering pace and a great turn to the penultimate, followed by a gallop to the last oxer saw him clock the winning time of 37.89.

Britain's Holly Smith had the difficult task of going early in the jump-off with Grennanstown Sarco Luxhill, but she put it up to the rest when clocking 38.00, which saw her take the lead and then eventual third.

Jordan Coyle and Roxborough Euphoria was best placed of the seven-year-olds taking third when clear in 38.27.