EQUESTRIAN: Stourport eventer Austin O'Connor finished inside the top 20 at the Bramham International three-day event.

O'Connor was up against a strong field that included European champion Pippa Funnell and Olympic gold medallist Andrew Hoy.

But the 27-year-old, who rides for his native Ireland, finished 19th on horse Whiskey Mac's three-star debut.

The 16.2hh bay 11-year-old was 26th after the dressage phase and a clear round in the 29-fence cross-country course, with just 5.2 time penalties, left O'Connor happy.

He said: "The horse gave me a fantastic cross-country ride. He had just a few penalties as he's still green and I didn't want to pressure him as yet."

The horse finished the event with just one fence down on the last day's showjumping contest.

O'Connor now feels there may be a fair chance of being listed for the Irish team at September's World Equestrian Games in Spain.