Patricia Ryan hopes Dunrath Eclipse will pass his biggest test to date when he tackles today’s cross-country phase at the Johnson and Perrott Land Rover International Horse Trials in Cork.

Sam Watson slotted into third after dressage yesterday in the long-format three-star class at the Johnson and Perrott Land Rover International Horse Trials at Ballindenisk, Co Cork, but was in no mood to get ahead of himself.

In the midst of his company’s hacking scandal, Rupert Murdoch headed to his London apartment and emerged with the News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks on his arm. Asked by a reporter about his priorities, Murdoch answered: “This one,” gesturing with his thumb to Brooks.

Irish eventing celebrated yesterday when Aoife Clark became the first rider from this country to take the feature class at Blenheim, England, while the junior rider team took gold in the European Championships, along with bronze for the young rider team.

A sun-drenched day in Ballindenisk, Co Cork that fell into the halcyon category, yet Sarah Ennis was “not happy”.

Muck ‘N’ Brass completed doubles for Eddie Lynam and Wayne Lordan when landing yesterday’s finale at Dundalk, the featured Irish Stallion Farms August Handicap, in dramatic style.

IT WAS a soft atmosphere at the cobbles this weekend — in weather thankfully; not fashion. As the rain threatened, the catwalks unleashed their own perfect storm of style for spring/summer 12.

I GO to The Curragh today fresh from a trip to Blenheim for my latest three-day event.

EVENTER Michael Ryan is optimistic of capitalising on his decision to switch from Blair Castle to Camphire this weekend.

A 51-year-old engineer working at a New Zealand aircraft testing centre was sucked into an engine and killed.

The Churchills: A Family at the Heart of History

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.

Eric Treuille and his wife Rosie own the iconic Books for Cooks in Blenheim crescent in London. Eric has written several excellent cookbooks.

NATIONAL Organic Food Week, now in its sixth year continues to gather momentum. The raison d’être for the week-long campaign from Monday, September 13 to Sunday, September 19 is to raise awareness about organic food and where to buy and enjoy it.

ED McMahon is targeting some of the big sprint prizes with Astrophysical Jet next season after her triumph in the Goffs Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh yesterday.

A COUPLE whose New Zealand bank accidentally gave them £3.86 million (€4.38m) have managed to flee the country with more than a third of the cash, it emerged.

A couple whose New Zealand bank accidentally gave them NZ$10m (€4.4m) have managed to flee the country with more than a third of the cash, it emerged today.

A knife-wielding woman stormed the cockpit of a New Zealand domestic flight, stabbing both pilots and threatening to blow up the plane before she was subdued.

A knife-wielding woman stabbed the pilot of a small commuter plane in New Zealand and threatened to blow it up in an apparent hijack attempt today, police said.

Three of the UK's biggest football stars are marrying their long-term girlfriends today.

The wedding season reaches a happy-ever-after crescendo this weekend as not one but five celebrity couples tie the knot.

YET again Europe was in the throes of war. Volunteers from every street and parish in Ireland died in their thousands.

Germany’s former European champion Bettina Hoy underlined her flair for dressage with a 6.5 penalty lead at the Blenheim Petplan European Eventing Championships.

GARDAÍ in Waterford are anxious to talk to anyone who may have seen a gang of three men who assaulted and tied-up a couple, ransacked their home and stole cash and the family car.

Gardaí were today trying to track down a gang who tied up and robbed a middle-aged couple in Waterford.