Twomey’s consistency sees him break into world top 10

SHOW jumper Billy Twomey’s consistency has been rewarded with his inclusion for the first time in the world top 10.

The Cheshire-based Corkman entered the Rolex Rankings at number nine, joining Denis Lynch, who is at number seven.

Jessica Kürten, however, is suffering with the continued injury-enforced absence of the brilliant Castle Forbes Libertina. The German-based Antrim woman has been a regular resident of the top 10, but in November was evicted and now occupies 14th place.

Twomey, for all his undisputed talent, has no reticence in pointing to his good horses as the main determinant in his rise up the rankings.

“Breaking into the top 10 is justification for the work I have put in, but even more so for the consistency shown by my horses over the last 12 months.

“I was close to making it when I had Luidam, but I did not pay too much attention to it then. Now, though, it is much more relevant, as being in the top 10 puts you automatically into World Cup shows and, when you get into the top 30, you can compete in the Global Champions Tour, where the money is substantial,” said Twomey, who joins Lynch and Kürten this weekend at the Gucci Masters, featuring Sunday’s €300,000 grand prix.

“It also makes it easier to plan your campaign and is good in terms of sourcing sponsorship,” he said. “Being in the top 10 means a lot to me, and I feel I am deserving of my position, but, for all riders, hard work and talent becomes irrelevant unless you have good horses and good owners and sponsors. Like formula one, without a good car, you will not win and I am lucky to have good horses in Je t’Aime Flamenco and Tinka’s Serenade,” said Twomey, who praised Irish chef d’equipe Robert Splaine for providing him with “the opportunity to compete at top-class shows”.

As for the possibility of topping the rankings in the future, the 33-year-old said: “Sure, I have ambitions to be number one and all you can says is: “Why not”.

Horse Sport Ireland chairman Joe Walsh described Twomey’s elevation as a “significant achievement”.

“For such a small country to now have two riders in the world’s top 10 and another in the top 15 is amazing.”

lTHREE officers of the Cork/Kerry Branch of ShowjumpingIreland yesterday cited the “adverse weather” for their non-attendance at Monday’s branch AGM in Killarney, Co Kerry.

In a statement explaining their absence, vice-chairman Barra Sweetnam, treasurer Ted Gibney and secretary Mary Dineen, said they had “independently” asked chairman James Tarrant to consider postponing “the meeting due to adverse weather conditions as overnight travelling conditions were poor in both Cork and Kerry”.

The statement continued: “When the chairman decided to run the meeting all three sent their apologies, as did many members who wouldn’t make the journey to Killarney for the AGM. The chairman had been asked to postpone the meeting to the following Monday night, but he felt it better to run on Monday night last to a very small attendance. The officers felt that in would be in the interest of the members to postpone the meeting to a future date to afford all the members an opportunity to attend the AGM. The meeting went ahead with a very small turn out and the officers’ absence was noted.”

Mr Tarrant responded: “If I thought the weather would have been better next week, I would have postponed the AGM, but, having checked the forecast for well into next week, it seemed the weather could be as bad or even worse. It was a judgment call and, in hindsight, I feel it was not the wrong call.

“I do not agree there was a small attendance, there were 50 people there, which speaks for itself, and we had a very active AGM. Also, nobody said there was any problem with the roads.”

* THE two-day Cavan Horse Show, which was due to begin tomorrow, has been cancelled due to the poor weather. The show was to feature the final of Kingsland Autumn Grand Prix League. John Floody’s performances to date have already assured him of the title, while his mount Larkhill Cruiser is the leading horse.

It was revealed this week that the horse had been bought by Cian O’Connor, who is anticipating further success for the gelding.

“The horse has an unbelievable record and has won 14 grands prix this year in Ireland. I am really looking forward to riding him and am taking him to Geneva next week and London’s Olympia the week after. Then, I go to Dubai in January, where I plan to use him as my grand prix horse. That will give me a better idea of his capability. I am confident, though, as he has done everything asked of him by John. He has won so much in Ireland and if he can do that abroad, it will be a great advertisement for Irish breeding.”

* LAST Friday’s Greyhound Night Fundraiser for the Munster Region of ShowjumpingIreland is expected to buck the trend in these difficult economic times with a rise in revenue.

Principal organiser Jerry Sweetnam said he was “absolutely delighted” with the effort put in by show jumping fans, saying: “We will do at least as well as last year and possibly even €2,000 better, which will bring the total up to €17,000,” he said.

“It heartens us that there continues to be such support for show jumping and particularly gratifying that, in these challenging times, members are willing to sell tickets and source sponsorship and give of their time. On that note, I must highlight those very sponsors, without whom the benefiting leagues would not happen.”

Sweetnam said he was actively looking for a title sponsor for the Greyhound Night Grand Prix League.

“It is a good opportunity for somebody to highlight their product or service at Munster’s top shows. We are conscious that money is tight and are willing to discuss any proposal and would respond favourably to any approach,” said the Kanturk man.

* JERRY’S US-based son Shane was also in the money last weekend, claiming the $25,000 grand prix with Rolette at Palm Beach Equestrian Center.

He also placed second in $10,000 Halperin Foundation Welcome Stake, with GP runner-up Pablo Barrios this time topping the leaderboard.

Sweetnam also claimed the top two places in a 1.30m class on Traffic Boy and Diktator Van De Boslandhoeve, respectively.