The International classes began today with the classes designed to warm the horses into the arena - have a look around and become acclimatised for the week ahead.

Class 1 on the International program was a Table A, 1.40m class where the win went to Ireland's Captain Shane Carey of the Irish Army School of Equitation.

Class 2 was a Table C, 1.40m class which saw the win to France.

The final International class for Day 1 was the 1.50m Table A with Jump Off.

In charge of the Course Design this year is Irishman, Allan Wade and International Competition 3 saw 57 entries with a massive 23 combinations going through to the jump off.

First to go in the jump off was Holland's Marc Houtzager and the 13 year old Dutch bred stallion Opium Vs and they set a cracking opening jump off round, which was quick enough to put pressure on the huge numbers following.

Clear in 43.53secs was certain a pressuring ride from the Dutchman.

Janne Meyer gave us the second double clear riding for Germany on Chika's Way but her time of 46.71secs was a little too slow today for a top 3 place.

Ireland's Trevor Breen rode a super round which saw him in 5th place with the time of 41.57secs riding the 10 year gelding son of Clinton, Womack.

Coming into the ring as the eight combination Darragh Kerrins and the superb tiny 10 year old chestnut gelding Night Train wowed the crowd as they zipped around the jump off track more like a pony than a horse - and as they came through the finish flags the place erupted - their time would seem to be unbeatable, and not for lack of trying!

Night Train and Darragh Kerrins - pictured below left - set the standard high when they stopped the clock at 37.93secs!

Charlie Jayne for the USA gave us the next clear jump off round in the saddle of The London Group's 9 year old Dutch mare, Athena - pictured below - and they sure tried to knock Kerrins from his lead but fell just short as they topped the clock at 38.36secs.

Following on from Timothee was Sweden's Svante Johansson and the 9 year old Cardento mare Caramell Ka and they too jumped a super, but slightly more cautious clear in 43.29secs.

Ireland's Thomas Ryan also produced a clear round in the

very cautious time of 47.12secs in the saddle of 12 year old gelding Urleven Van De Helle.

The final clear came second from last with France's Kevin Staut and the 11 year old Olisco stallion, Kraque Boom - pictured below - and they took 3rd place today when they stopped the clock at 39.40secs.

So at the end of the class there were 8 double clears from 57 combinations in the class, with all 8 taking a place in the lineup and a share of the €21,000 prize fund.

As day one finished the International results saw two wins to Ireland and one win to France.