The third International class was held on Thursday after the Speed Stakes and it was a one round with a jump off class which saw 55 starters with just 16 going through to the jump off today. The track saw fences from 1.40m up to 1.60m and the technicality was certainly stepped up for the class.

First to go in the jump off was Ireland's Francis Connors and Highfort Stud's 9 year old gelding Merlin's Magic and they set a target for those following when they stopped the clock at 43.01secs for jumping the 8 jump off fences clear.

Next to go was Germany's Rene Tebbel and Rasha Hareb's Team Harmony Coupe de Couer - pictured below left - which is a 9 year old stallion by Calido I and they were not to unseat Francis today when they collected 4 jumping penalties and 3 time penalties.

Maryline Vorpe for Sweden - pictured above right - took a firm grip on the lead when she came through the finish flag with everything standing and a time of 39.86secs which put her firmly in the lead. Maryline, riding the 12 year old gelding Mercure du Chable CH.

Thomas Voss for Germany opted to not start in the jump off today after earning his place.

Theo Muff for Switzerland could not knock Maryline out of top spot with his 4 fault round in 46.80secs riding Werner Rutimann's Con Spirito R - pictured below left - , a Contender stallion son.

France's Stephan Lafouge put in a great effort with Genevieve Lafouge's Gabelou des Ores - pictured below - but were not quite good enough to take provisional first when they jumped clear in 41.03secs.
Next to challenge Sweden's provisonally lead germany's Heinrich Hermann Engemann and they topped Vorpe's time but could not take the lead when they collected 4 jumping penalties in 39.00secs.

Piet Raymakers was the first of the Dutch riders to enter the arena for this jump off and they jumped a cautious round looking for clear round money - and they did just that coming through the flags with no penalties in a time of 43.76secs.

Second rider for Ireland through to the jump off was Marie Burke and the very talented stallion she bred herself - Chippison, now 13 years old is by Cavalier Royale out of Chipmount - pictured below left. This normally zippy stallion with plenty of scope was not quite on form for this jump off lowering two fences, which would keep them out of the money today.
Shane Breen, also for Ireland was next into the arena with the very impressive 11 year old Cruising gelding World Cruise - pictured below - and they certainly pushed the barrow coming home well with a very good time of 39.49secs but with one fence down they could not unseat Maryline who still holds the provisional lead with 6 combinations to go.
Switzerland's Markus Fuchs was next to challenge with Royal

Charmer but today was not to be the day for Switzerland to take frintline honours when a fence fell for this combination leaving them with 4 faults in 41.62secs.

Next into the ring was one of Ireland's favourite young women - the very talented rider and producer of horses, Olive Clarke riding John Melia's Spitfield - pictured below right - this combination are getting better and better everytime they come into the ring but today was not theirs when Spitfield skidded into a fence and had a rail and they then collected time penalties as well.
For Norway, Geir Gulliksen and Cattani 17 left all the fences standing but they had a slow time of 45.49secs.

The first American representative in this jump off was next into the ring - the very experienced Candice KIng, riding Louisburg Farm's Coco Cabana, a 12 year old mare by Cantus jumped clear but not fast enough to take the lead with their time of 45.05secs.
Jeroen Dubbledam for the Netherlands was next into the arena riding Stal de Sjiem's Bmc Up and Down - pictured below - and although they jumped clear their time of 44.12secs was not enough to take Sweden's lead and with just one to go, Maryline would be quietly hoping at this stage that the euro6,600 was to be hers.
THe only one who could deny Maryline Vorpe the win at this stage was last to go, Christine McCrea for the USA, riding Vegas - pictured below - , a 12 year old Voltaire stallion but today was not their day when two fences fell and they stopped the clock at 42.16secs leaving Maryline Vorpe first in the final lineup - drinks are on Sweden!
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