IRELAND’S Amy Bowtell captured the doubles title in the ITF Women’s Circuit event in Gijon, Spain without hitting a ball in yesterday’s final.

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

If first impressions count, the Hong Kong Jockey Club is off to a good start as far as Olympic event rider Captain Geoff Curran is concerned.

IT is a measure of the respect and affection with which show jumper Marie Burke is held that, following her surprise axing by manager Robert Splaine from the European Championships team in Mannheim last month, she was the subject of much condolence.

CO. DOWN -born Conor Swail walked away with the Grand Prix trophy at the five-star show in Gijon, Spain tonight after two fault-free rounds on the nine year-old Dutch-bred ‘Rivaal’.

THE chairman of the implementation group charged with setting up an umbrella body for equestrianism hopes to complete the group’s task by Christmas.

HARRY MARSHALL has put his grievances with the Irish show jumping selectors aside temporarily and declared himself available for the Samsung Nations Cup Super League final in Barcelona in two weeks.

IRELAND’S Peter Charles survived a dramatic moment at Hickstead when his hat slipped over his face and he jumped blindfold down the Derby Bank - but still managed to go clear and repeat his 2001 victory in the Bunn Leisure British Jumping Derby with Corrada.