Dateline: Taupo, New Zealand

New Zealand again wins the Trans Tasman competition after Australia lost two of their team! Georgia Clifford was eliminated with Its Monty after 3 refusals and then a second horse was withdrawn after a bruised foot was diagnosed.

Dateline: Hamburg, Germany

Thirty four combinations went into the final in Hamburg for one of the few remaining Derby classes in the world - and it is as tough as any! Today we saw a great jump off with 5 combinations all looking for the win and the €35,000 that went with it.

The jump off was contested by three for Germany, one for England and one for Sweden, with Sweden's Linda Heed the only lady in the lineup!

Germany took top place with Andre Thieme and Nacorde, a 12 year old gelding by Concorde with double clear jumping and a final time of 49.89secs. Second place and €22,500 went to Thomas Zetor Kleis, also for Germany riding the 10 year old gelding by Zeus with double clear and a jump off time of 51.34secs.

Third place went to Britain's Richard Robinson and Olli-Pop, an 11 year old gelding by Olisco. No doubt the €12,500 helped with traveling expenses to one of the best shows on the continent. Richard also clocked up double clear jumping with his jump off time being 52.23secs.

Fourth place went to Sweden's Linda Heed and Columbus H, an 11 year old Swedish bred gelding by Cortez, finishing with two down in the jump off. For her work Linda took €9,000 home!

Fifth went to Germany's Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst and Montanus Faro, an 18 year old Fargo gelding. They completed the jump off with a couple of issues which saw them on a score of 17 faults but happy with the €6,500 prize money.

Germany also took 6th and 7th placings with Stüvel, Felix Stüvel and Mr Hop Sing and Toni Haßmann and Collin.

Edward Doyle and Utopia Vi'T Hoogveld, representing Ireland put in a great effort and finished in 8th place, while his country men, Conor Swail and Shane Breen did not fare so well, having made a great effort to qualify for the big event.

Pictured above left - Edward Doyle for Ireland and Utopia and Pictured above right - Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst

Pictured below left - the only lady rider in the final line up, Linda Heed for Sweden.

Dateline: Punchestown, Ireland

The CCI*** was won by New Zealander, Andrew Nicholson who also took out 3rd placing.

Britain's Oliver Townend took 2nd place in the CCI*** with Matthew Wright for Britain taking 4th spot.

Ireland's Niall Griffen was the highest placed of the Irish in 5th place, followed by fellow countrymen, Michael Rya, Lt. Geoff Curran and Susan Shortt