Roland Tong was awarded a personal best international Grand Prix score of 69.220% to place fifth at Saumur’s three-star meeting at the weekend.

The Irish rider rode Rybrook Ambience in the competition, which took place on Friday and was won by Belgian Fanny Verliefden, giving a first international outing to Indoctro v/d Steenblok. The pairing scored 72.980% to take the contest.

Jennifer Hoffmann riding XXXL Rubino NRW took second with 71.310%, which for the American rider was also an international Grand Prix personal best.

Third in the event was Elena Fernandez for Switzerland on Sueno II with a score of 70.500%

Tong and Ambience went on to place sixth in Saturday’s Grand Prix Kür (Freestyle to Music) with a score of 72.05%, the honours in this event going to Hoffman with another record score for her of 74.30%.

In the Junior Freestyle Alana Cazabon came sixth for Ireland with Zazou, scoring 69.958%. Greece’s Theodora Livanos claimed victory with Winston, scoring 73.125%.

Mike Dunne