EQUESTRIAN:Jessica Kürten had looked virtually unstoppable going into yesterday's Rolex Grand Prix in Aachen, Germany, after trouncing the opposition in Saturday's feature jump-off class, but that form deserted the Irish woman just when she needed it.
The world number three had been aiming for back-to-back victories after her 100,000 win in the Monaco Grand Prix last weekend, but with four faults in the first round and five in the second on Castle Forbes Maike, the 37-year-old dropped to a disappointing 15th at the finish.
The Antrim-born rider still racked up close to €50,000 for her weekend's work, boosted by Saturday's win and a third in the big speed class over a Derby style course, but America's Beezie Madden collected 82,000 after coming out on top in a three-way decider for yesterday's Rolex feature.
Over at the Barbury Castle horse trials in Wiltshire, Lieut Geoff Curran finished best of the 16-strong Irish contingent in 13th with Kilkishen.
The Army Equitation School member was lying 12th overnight from a startlist of 117 and slid only one place with a show jump down and 16 time faults to add out around the country.
Sally Corscadden was just over four penalties adrift of Curran in 18th place with Millbridge Kalamar.
