Kürten’s slide down the Rolex World Rankings continues

SHOW jumper Jessica Kürten’s slide down the Rolex World Rankings continued last month, with the Antrim woman now lying 20th.

Kürten cannot compete her best horses, following a falling out with their owner Lady Georgina Forbes, and is paying the price with few top results.

Ireland, however, is well represented at the top of the rankings as, for the second month, Cheshire-based Corkman Billy Twomey remains in the vanguard in seventh place, while Denis Lynch has moved up a place to eighth.

Cian O’Connor continues to plunder with Larkhill Cruiser, the Meath-based rider winning a two-phase class last night at the Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain. The Cruising gelding has proved a useful addition to O’Connor’s string since he was acquired a few months ago from John Floody. Third place in the same contest went to Capt David O’Brien on Kiltoom.

Meanwhile, Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) yesterday announced that Michael Quirke is unable to continue as show jumping coach to the senior eventing team, due to increased international commitments with his own horses, and Ian Fearon will take over the role for 2011. Ferdi Eilberg will continue as dressage coach. HSI also said that Jean Mitchell and Jessica Harrington had been appointed as programme advisors in a voluntary capacity.

Ireland’s eventers disappointed at last year’s World Equestrian Games, in which they failed to achieve their goal of qualification for next year’s London Olympics. They get another opportunity in August at the European Championships in Lumühlen, Germany, but could also qualify through the world rankings.

A number of horse/rider combinations have been placed on a provisional squad, which will be continually reviewed based on performances at three and four-star level in 2011.

Aoife Clark (Master Crusoe and Vaguely North), Capt Geoff Curran (The Jump Jet), Jayne Doherty (The Only One and Ravenstar), Ciarán Glynn (Killossery Kruisita and Don’t Tell Punch), Mark Kyle (Nitetime Cavalier and Step in Time), Louise Lyons (Murphy’s Miracle), Joseph Murphy (Electric Cruise), Jim Newsam (Magennis), Liz Power (Kilpatrick River), Camilla Spiers (Portersize Just A Jiff), Sam Watson (Horseware Bushman).