Smith takes another win

Britain's Robert Smith claimed his second win at the Odyssey

Robert Smith claimed his second big win of the Belfast International Horse Show on Friday evening.

Riding Marius Cladius, Smith scorched to a marvellous clear in 32.47 seconds in the 10-strong jump-off and picked up £5,000.

The Briton's time was 1.72 second faster than Ireland's Marion Hughes who picked up £3,500 for a fine performance on Heritage Fortunus.

Another Irish rider, Clement McMahon, aboard Gelvin Clover, took the £2,500 third prize after clocking a solid 36.06 in the jump-off.

Ireland's Conor Swail produced the fastest time in the jump off but a fence down meant he had to settle for sixth place and a £600 cheque.

World number one Marcus Fuch had two fences down in the jump off and came in 10th.

Earlier on Friday, Belgian rider Francois Mathy won the day's opening class.

Mathy pipped former Olympic champion Franke Sloothaak to take victory in The Odyssey Arena Top Score event.

Franke Sloothaak finished second in Friday's opening class

Aboard Ivoor, Mathy claimed 1180 points - the same amount as the German - but his time of 45.02 was over five seconds quicker than Sloothaak (50.24).

In turn, Sloothaak's mount Cheval was a second ahead of another Belgian Jean Claude Vangeenberghe who took third on Coronation (51.61).

Britain's Robert Whitaker was fourth on Randi while Conor Swail was the top Irish rider in 12th place aboard Conduct.

In Friday's second class, world number one Markus Fuchs prevented a double for Mathy by taking the first prize.

Fuchs' clear round in 50.47 seconds aboard Royal Charmer earned him the £2,500 first prize .62 quicker than Mathy riding Aster (51.09) while Nick Skelton's Pandur was third after producing a clear in 51.11.

Marion Hughes was the leading Irish rider in fourth place with a clear on Heritage Oh Jessie in 52.34.

The competition continues through to Sunday evening with over £250,000 of prize money up for grabs over the four days.

The Princess Royal was a special visitor at the show on Friday morning.

The Odyssey Arena Top Score
1 Francois Mathy (Bel), Ivoor
2 Franke Sloothaak (Ger), Cheval
3 Jean Claude Vangeenberghe (Bel) Coronation

The My Travel Lite Top Flight stakes
1 Markus Fuchs (Sui), Royal Charmer
2 Francois Mathy (Bel), Aster
3 Nick Skelton (GB), Pandur