TOP Worcestershire-based eventer Austin O'Connor finished inside the top 20 at the Yorkshire Post Bramham International three-day event.

He was up against a strong field that included reigning European Champion Pippa Funnell and Sydney Olympic gold medallist Andrew Hoy.

The Stourport-based 27-year-old, who rides for his native Ireland, was riding Whiskey Mac for the McAlleenan brother.

The 16.2hh bay 11-year-old made a reasonable start in the opening dressage phase, lying 26th at that stage.

Like many riders Austin was not too happy with the dressage marking at the event, with a meeting after the opening phase making it plain just how angry the rider's were at the large discrepancies in the marking.

The pair then faced Bramham's testing 29-fence cross-country course, designed by ex-international eventer Sue Benson.

A cracking clear round - with just 5.2 time penalties - left Austin a happy man.

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

"The water fences took some jumping as did the triple of corners towards the end of the course, but the ground was good and conditions were excellent. Whiskey Mac took the straight routes everywhere."

The horse finished the event with just one show-jump down on the last day, to slot into a creditable 19th place on his three star debut.

"We had a rail off the very first fence show jumping, which was unlucky - it shouldn't have happened as the horse is almost good enough to be a pure show-jumper," Austin added.

He first partnered the gelding in 2000, with the ride coming back to him this season. Austin now feels there may be a 'fair chance' of being listed for the Irish team at September's world Equestrian Games in Spain or may take Whiskey Mac to the Blenheim three-day event in the autumn.

Croome Pony Club rider Daisy Robinson opened the North Cotswold Pony Club's open show at Honeybourne with a win in the main show-jumping ring.

The Show attracted record entries, particularly in the show-jumping classes.

Daisy's win came in the opening 14 years and under class, where she beat Ledbury Pony Club's Sophie Perry on her pony Sugar Bretforton 16-year-old Hayley Clarke won the 16 years and under class on Sam, a pony she hopes to take into area teams this year.

Sedgeberrow's Ali Lindner, always a hard rider to beat on the local circuit, scored a double in the open classes on Shannon.

Ten-year-old Natalie Clarke, Hayley's sister, won the 2'6" class in the second jumping ring on her veteran pony Artemis.

There was also a win in this class for Worcestershire Pony Club's Lucy Ash, who headed the 10 years and under class on Mystic Meg.