USA’s Brooke Kemper and Arpeggi took the runner-up spot with third going to Mexico’s Santiago Lambre and Easy Girl.

Thirty-four riders attempted the first round, with just six qualifying for the shortened second round of the competition.

Moloney and Rocksy Music, a 2008 Irish Sport Horse gelding, have competed together for the last five years.

“I’ve had him for five years, since he was an eight-year-old, actually!” he explained enthusiastically after his win. “He’s been jumping really well lately, so I’m really happy I got this win.”

The Irishman was fifth to go in the jump-off, and he was determined to win, planning his round accordingly after watching the first pair go. “I watched Brooke [Kemper] go, so I tried to get more or less the same numbers,” he elaborated. “I did one less [stride] to the last jump. She did eight, and I did seven. It was a little bit risky, but it paid off.”

Ireland’s Simon McCarthy, riding Gotcha, finished in fourth place.

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Blake, riding Don’t Touch Du Bois, dominated the second phase of the Power and Speed competition as the 11-year-old mare clocked 26.893 seconds to win ahead of Australian Rowan Willis with Wellington Grandorie, who finished in 27.419 seconds. American Daniel Geitner and Vesta De Lavardin were third in 28.404 seconds.

Anna Merveldt and the 11-year-old stallion Esporim, with a personal best score in Grand Prix Special of 71.426%, were fourth in the CDI4* Grand Prix Special at Achleiten, Austria, a competition won by Germany’s six-time Olympic Gold medallist, Isabel Werth, with DSP Quantaz on a score of 80.149%.

Irish competitors will be represented at international shows this weekend, across the USA and Europe.

In showjumping, Irish riders will be in action as St Tropez Grimaud (FRA), Opglabbeek (BEL), Vilamoura (POR), Royan (FRA), Traverse City Michigan (USA), Bonheiden (BEL), Ste Cecile (FRA), Tryon North Carolina (USA) and San Giovanni In Marignano (ITA).

Ireland will also be represented in dressage at Grote-Brogel (BEL), in endurance at Ehrhardt South Carolina (USA) and in driving at Buehl (GER).

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