Ger O’Neill has a couple of reasons for believing he might win the championship for five-year-old horses at Millstreet International Horse Show.

Ireland’s Trevor Breen claimed a thrilling victory in the Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby yesterday as defending champion Phillip Miller was agonisingly denied a second successive triumph.

Britain’s Phillip Miller, riding Caritiar Z, provided the only clear in the Hickstead Derby yesterday to deny Ireland its second successive win in the famed competition, as four faults left Tipperary’s Trevor Breen equal second on the one-eyed Adventure De Kannan.

Want an investment for 2013? Try Hickstead Derby champion Paul Beecher, writes John Tynan

Show jumper Paul Beecher has urged riding centres to be extra vigilant after €20,000 of his tack was stolen as he filmed a documentary last Monday.

Hickstead Derby-winning showjumper Paul Beecher was “devastated” yesterday after his tack room was hit by thieves as he was filming a TV documentary.

The governing body of equestrian sport in Ireland has said it needs more funding to build on the success of Irish riders at the recent Olympic Games in London and other international competitions.

William Whitaker gave Britain its second feature win in as many days at Millstreet International Horse Show yesterday, but Alexander Butler also laid down a marker ahead of tomorrow’s €50,000 grand prix.

Paul Beecher yesterday claimed the famous Hickstead Derby for only the 13th time for Ireland in its 52-year history.

SHOW JUMPER Shane Breen and Captain David O’Brien were among five riders to share second place in yesterday’s Hickstead Derby, with the notoriously challenging competition providing just one clear round.

TIPPERARY show jumper Shane Breen made his presence felt again on day two of the Hickstead Derby meeting, placing second and third in the two main classes.

AN “independent” review of ShowjumpingIreland’s (SJI) insurance policy has been initiated by Horse Sport Ireland (HSI).

TIPPERARY show jumper Denis Lynch put himself top of the Global Champions Tour leaderboard on Saturday, when he placed fourth in Monte Carlo.

DOUBLE European show-jumping gold medallist Peter Charles has opted to give up riding for Ireland and to put his name for forward for the British squad.

“DETERMINATION, a will to win and absolute courage” were the essence of Paul Darragh the rider,” Col Ned Campion said yesterday.

BLYTH TAIT kept his cool at a balmy Punchestown yesterday to claim a brace of victories, as Niall Griffin lifted Irish spirits with a third to the former world champion in the feature Olympic-format event.

THE decision not to send a showjumping team to the cash-rich Spruce Meadows show in Calgary next week was based on the desire to do well at the World Equestrian Games, according to Peter Charles.