Twomey heroics see Ireland stay top

IRELAND’S show jumpers remain top of the FEI Nations Cup League, after finishing third in Italy yesterday.

Billy Twomey was the key player, producing a first-round clear with Tinka’s Serenade, while the Cork man reprised his performance in round two to lift the team above Germany, Britain and France, who share fourth on 23 faults.

Shane Sweetnam (Amaretto Darco) had opened with eight faults, followed by five from Shane Carey (Lancero). Cameron Hanley (Southwind VDL) provided the discard with nine faults to leave the team sixth at the midway stage. Kanturk’s Sweetnam halved his score second time out, with Carey finishing on four. Hanley again scored nine for a team total of 21 faults.

At Tattersalls Horse Trials, Zara Philips and Lord Lauries led yesterday in the CIC three-star class on 42.9pens, 4.2pens ahead of Cork’s Patricia Ryan on Ballylynch Wizard. The CCI three-star cross-country takes place today, with Armagh’s Jayne Doherty (The Only One), best of the Irish in seventh.

- ShowjumpingIreland opted not to stage a National Horse Championships this year.