EQUESTRIAN: Twomey’s World Cup bid over

BILLY Twomey’s bid for World Cup glory ended yesterday when, with Tinka’s Serenade, he finished with eight faults in the second qualifying contest in Leipzig, Germany.

A clear round was essential to reignite the Corkman’s hopes, having four-faulted in Thursday’s opener. However, that proved beyond Twomey’s reach, when first the mare knocked the middle section of the combination, before doing likewise at the planks. A single time fault brought his tally on the day to nine.

Meanwhile, Horse Sport Ireland yesterday announced that Denis Lynch has committed to jumping on the Irish show jumping team this year. The Tipperary rider had previously said he would not ride on the team in 2011, citing differences with manager Robert Splaine.