HIGHWORTH rider Paul Tapner clinched the top prize on a successful weekend for local riders at the Tattersalls International Horse Trials in Ireland.

Australian Olympic hopeful Tapner, riding the Irish-bred mare Prince Mayo went clear in the final showjumping discipline to win the Irish Field CCI3* event.

The duo were third after the dressage phase but gained a place during the cross country section, going on to win the class with a score of 44.80.

Flora Harris, who is based at Uffcott Farm near Broad Hinton, moved up from 11th place after the dressage section to claim second spot with 60.90 penalties on Cooley Lord Lux, with Britain’s Michael Owen third on 62.90 with Highland Prince.

Marlborough-based New Zealander Tim Price and Ringwood Sky Boy were fifth in the George Mernagh Memorial CIC3* behind home rider Padraig McCarthy and horse Simon Porloe, with Jock Paget, who is also based in Marlborough, ninth aboard Angus Blue.

Price’s wife Jonelle and Cooley Showtime were second behind Britain’s William Fox-Pitt and Secret Night in the Eventing Ireland CCI2* category.

, while Reybridge’s David Doel earned podium honours by finishing second behind Kent’s Tom Jackson in the Connolly’s Red Mills CCI 2* U24 event, riding Kiltubrid Rhapsody.

Paget also claimed a fourth and a sixth in the Land Rover CCI1* section aboard Optimus Prime and Zazu respectively, with Tim Price and Kincooley Cruising behind Fox-Pitt and Little Fire in the Cooley Farm CCIYH1* for six and seven year olds.