Commandant Geoff Curran and Bishops Quarter scale heights in Puissance

Commandant Geoff Curran and his gelding Bishops Quarter soared over the big red wall at a height of 2.25m to win the Defender Puissance at a packed RDS arena in Ballsbridge on Saturday evening at the Dublin Horse Show.

Waterford-born Curran and the Gerard Murphy-bred Bishops Quarter brought the full house to their feet at the famous old arena.

A thrilling competition saw only Curran and Derry's Jordan Coyle riding Eristov make it into the final round from the 13 competitors who started. Coyle had a brave attempt to clear the wall at its final height but dislodged the coping to set up a grand finale where Curran had his chance to win.

Commandant Geoff Curran and Bishops Quarter win the Puissance for Ireland at the @DublinHorseShow at the RDS pic.twitter.com/t75jXPxdCb

A perfectly judged ride down to the wall saw Curran and Bishops Quarter (ISH) clear the wall to a huge cheer from the watching audience. Third place was shared between Mikey Pender riding Hearton du Bois Halleux and Brendan Murphy with Erne Riverrun (ISH).

In the earlier Dublin Stakes, Wexford’s Bertram Allen and Edison de Hus took victory in a competition where Irish riders filled all of the top four places. Daniel Coyle and Gisborne VDL finished as runners-up ahead of Commandant Geoff Curran and Glengarra Wood in third while Bertram Allen’s younger brother Harry finished fourth with Iron Lady van de Zuuthoeve.

The Royal Dublin Society Stakes saw victory going to Britain's Sienna Charles after a brilliant round aboard Valkiry de Zance. Tipperary’s Tom Wachman and Cathalina S were just a fraction behind in second while third place went to another British rider, Harry Charles with Chavira.