IRELAND'S Eric Holstein, on Sir Michael, and Paul Darragh riding Sera were second and third respectively in the International Chase at Hickstead yesterday which was won by Belgium's Stanny van Paesschen.

Van Paesschen repeated a success he enjoyed at the previous Hickstead meeting when he won the opening event of the Royal International Horse Show.with the 10 year old Capricieux des Six Censes, on which he had enjoyed victory and a second place in the Nations Cup meeting at the end of May.

The Belgian, who is also riding his Olympic choice, Mulga Bill, in the four day show, won with a faultless round in 77.96 seconds. Erie Flameng, another Belgian, was fourth on Lyle and Britain's highest placed rider was Keith Shore, who was fifth on Dun Equity.

Nick Skelton, one of Britain's Olympic team who is making his first Hickstead appearance for two years was content with a slow, careful round on Tinker's Boy.