Show jumper Denis Lynch last night qualified for tomorrow’s showdown at the World Cup finals in ’s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.

THE market for Irish horses in China is full of potential, Horse Sport Ireland chief executive Damian McDonald said yesterday, but he acknowledged a number of obstacles needed to be overcome.

THERE was good and bad news for Irish show jumpers in the latest Rolex World Rankings, with Denis Lynch moving up and Billy Twomey heading the opposite direction.

SHOW jumper Dermott Lennon moved to 11th in the World Cup’s Western European League yesterday when third with Hallmark Elite in a hard-fought contest at London’s Olympia.

NOVEMBER in Toronto and Dermott Lennon is in top form. Fourth in the World Cup qualifier with Hallmark Elite and, along the way, picking up a couple of decent placings.

CIAN O’CONNOR is unequivocal in his belief the €300,000 reportedly spent by Horse Sport Ireland on participation in the recent Alltech World Equestrian Games was not excessive.

SHOW JUMPER Billy Twomey yesterday rejected the notion that he is on rescue mission for Ireland at the Alltech World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Kentucky.

WHEN Robert Splaine is asked to consider what he has learned in the five years since becoming Ireland show jumping team manager, he pauses, before settling on the importance of communication.

SARAH WARDELL yesterday took the first step in making up for an aborted effort with Kincluny earlier this month at Burghley, by taking poll position on day one of the CCI three-star at Ballindenisk, Co Cork.

IRELAND’S show jumpers finished in equal fifth place yesterday in a closely-fought nations cup at Gijon, Spain.

SHOW jumper Cian O’Connor is not short of confidence, but he is sure it is well placed in expecting a good outcome for Ireland in today’s nations cup at the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

SHANE BREEN yesterday gave Ireland the perfect start at Hickstead ahead of today’s nations cup, taking two of the three international classes.

Team Ireland Equestrian’s Show Jumping Team Manager Robert Splaine today announced his squad for the Nations' Cup of Germany which will take place in Aachen next Thursday night, July 15.