Twomey triumphs in Belgium
The Corkman was the Irish standard bearer with Tinka’s Serenade in a jump-off after his double clear was matched by Denis Lynch (Abbervail Van Het Dingeshof) and Shane Breen (Carmena) to leave the team equal with Australia on a zero tally.
In a head-to-head, Twomey kept a clean sheet for the third time, while Australian Chris Chugg four-faulted with Vivant.
The fourth member of the Irish team, rookie Alex Duffy (Tampa), notched up 22 faults in round one and sat out round two in a competition attracting 13 teams.
The victory is a fillip for the squad, and manager Robert Splaine, with the elite Meydan Nations Cup Series starting in two weeks.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Camilla Speirs and the equally young nine-year-old Portersize Just A Jiff scored in impressive 48.3 penalties on day one of dressage at Badminton Horse Trials to lie in 12th place overnight.
She is 9.3 penalties off the pace set by Briton Ruth Edge (Two Thyme).
Husband and wife Michael (Old Road) and Patricia Ryan (Fernhill Clover Mist) disappointed with scores of 61.5pens and 62pens, respectively, to place 31st and 32nd.
Mark Kyle (Step In Time) was 36th of the 41 competitors on day one, one place ahead of Sacha Pemble (I’ve Been Dun).
The second tranche of riders undertake dressage today, with the influential cross-country tomorrow and show jumping phase on Monday.
