Ireland’s eventing pony riders lifted double gold and a bronze medal at the European Championships in Fontainebleau, France, yesterday to crown a magnificent weekend for Irish equestrian sport.

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

Ireland show jumping manager Robert Splaine’s prediction that yesterday’s French Nations Cup would be a difficult test proved accurate, as Ireland finished joint fifth of the eight teams.

The FEI Nations Cup Series begins today in La Baule, France, and, important as it is, it will play second fiddle to the Olympics.

Showjumping star Jessica Kurten today scooped the Sportswoman of the Month award for January.

MORE than anything, show jumper Jessica Kürten saw her first major grand prix win in over a year last Sunday as one of portent.

Show jumper Billy Twomey’s fourth place in the World Cup qualifier at Leipzig, Germany, has propelled him to the top of the Olympic rankings, according to Horse Sport Ireland, while Jessica Kürten posted her first major grand prix win in over a year in Amsterdam.

SHOW jumper Denis Lynch has risen to second in the Rolex World Cup league table following his fifth place with Abbervail van het Dingeshof in Mechelen, Belgium, yesterday.

Denis Lynch moved up to second position in the Rolex FEI World Cup rankings this evening after a fifth place finish in the World Cup competition at Mechelen, Belgium with Thomas Straumann's 11-year-old bay gelding Abbervail van Het Dingeshof.

SHOW JUMPER Denis Lynch is practically assured of a place in the Rolex World Cup final after finishing ninth in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday.