In a brilliant weekend for Irish equestrianism, Peter Charles claimed the Peugeot Derby at Hickstead, Sarah Ennis became the first Irish rider to score in the Scarvagh House three-star CIC and Ireland's juniors scooped team bronze at the junior European three-day event championships in Walldorf, Germany.

Charles steered the 11-year-old former broodmare round the famous Hickstead track clear over the fences but picked up two time faults. However none of his rivals could better his round and he was rewarded with a £10,000 winner's cheque, a Peugoet cabriolet and the Boomerang trophy.

Billy Twomey, who faulted once on the marathon track with his new ride Give Me Remus, earned himself £12,500 for a share of second place with Britain's Magna Carta II and Nicky Coulter. Charles' fellow gold medal team member Kevin Babington started before the bell and was eliminated, offering a middle-digit salute to the judges - reminiscent of the famous Harvey Smith two-finger version - as he left the arena.

At the Buller family's Scarvagh House international, 26-year-old Sarah Ennis yesterday led from flagfall with the brilliant I'm A Star mare Killossery Katriona.

One of only four horses to leave all the fences standing in Saturday's show jumping, but picking up two on the clock, the eight-year-old horse rocketed round the tough cross-country for just 5.2 time penalties that left the Howth jockey 11.8 clear of her closest rival and £2,500 the richer for it.

At the junior European three-day event championships in Walldorf, Germany, the Irish team moved up from sixth after the dressage to claim the bronze. It could so easily have been a silver, but three fences down for Blarney winners Aoife Donnelly and Glencool in yesterday's show jumping meant one step lower on the team podium.