Irish trio finish well out of the frame in Abu Dhabi

SUCCESS eluded the three Irish riders in Saturday’s Global Champions Tour final in Abu Dhabi, with Billy Twomey coming out best in 13th.

The Corkman, riding Tinka’s Serenade, produced a clear opening-round, as did Denis Lynch on Lantinus.

However, their challenge for the lion’s share of the €400,00 on offer ended next time out, with Twomey putting up four faults, while his compatriot finished with eight to end up in 18th place on the day.

Lynch, nevertheless, slotted into sixth on the GCT league table to pocket almost €34,000 as part of the €1m on offer to the top 18. Twomey’s efforts, which included victory in Valencia, Spain, in May, left the Notthighamshire-based rider 12th on the leaderboard, earning him €10,000.

Mark McAuley’s challenge ended in round with nine faults on Loriot.

After three rounds of jumping, France’s Roger-Yves Bost emerged the winner on the day with Ideal de la Loge, while Australian Edwina Tops-Alexander (Cevo Itot du Château) lifted the GCT crown when she and her only challenger, Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum (Chaman), exited in the opening round. At the three-star show in Stockholm, Sweden, Jessica Kurten notched up a rare double, both coming with the bay mare Colina.