Equestrianism: Kyle fast round lands first win for Irish

Until this spectacular charge, Christopher Bartle had held the advantage with a lovely clear round on 17-year-old Word Perfect II. Kyle was an amazing 23.15sec faster on the headstrong Drunken Disorderly, with whom he has been selected for the Irish team for September's European Three-Day Event Championships at Blenheim Palace.

"He's a tough old devil," Kyle said of his 15-year-old mount. "He takes control, so you just have to sit there and hope everything goes alright." In contrast, Word Perfect jumped a copybook round to finish runner-up for the second year running.

Earlier Scott Smith celebrated his late inclusion in the Great Britain squad for Hickstead by winning the Refco Chase, the first international contest of the meeting, on Cabri d'Elle.