Irish Rider Austin O’Connor was the delighted recipient of a beautiful handmade wristwatch worth £7500 at Brigstock International Horse Trials at Rockingham Castle. Riding his second horse of the day, GFG Rambo Man, he finished one second inside the optimum time across country.

“He’s a naturally quick horse”, Austin explained. “Having already ridden one horse around the course I knew we could make the time if I didn’t make a mistake. Its a wonderful watch – I’ll be wearing it at the trot up at Badminton next week.”

“It was heart in mouth stuff,” said watch maker Robert Loomes. “To watch Austin come home so close to the optimum time was outstanding. At this top level of competition timing is absolutely everything.”

The Open Intermediate, in which GFG Rambo Man was the runner up, was won by local rider Tom How on Belco HRS. Tom lives literally 10 minutes from the event so it was a great win for this area.

Eventing legend Sir Mark Todd who won the Advanced Intermediate riding Amacuzzi after a faultless performance left them on their dressage score. Oliver Smith slipped into second place with Noon Hill while Australia’s Andrew Hoy took third on Cheeky Calimbo.

There were Intermediate wins for Ruth Edge on Time Machine, Jake Fowles riding Zorro G and Willa Newton with Chance Remark.