“I was coming here mostly just to go around" said the Canadian, who rode Emerson, about his first show back after the Tokyo Olympics.

A contentious eight-horse jump-off saw Vanessa Mannix (CAN) and Catinka 25 settle for second with Conor Swail (IRL) and Theo 160 third.

Excitement is mounting ahead of the 2021 fixture which kicks off at Riesenbeck International in Germany on Sept. 1.

The newlywed won the $15,000 CSI3* Maui Jim Winning Round 1.45m aboard her longtime mount, Goodwill VB.

In the four-horse jump-off in the 1.50m CSI3* class on Thursday, the Irishman stacked the odds by making up 50 per cent of the lineup.

After making the podium on three other occasions at the Summer Fort Classic, Mannix broke through with an impressive win.

The Frenchman topped the field of 35 at the Hubside Jumping de Valence in front of grandstands full of enthusiastic crowds.

As the border gradually reopens to non-citizens, it sees the welcome return of international competition to Thunderbird Show Park.

The US team member claimed first, third, fourth and fifth places in the $5,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake at TIEC.

The German edged Swedish rider Peder Fredricson who has been riding the Olympic momentum, placing second aboard H&M Christian K.