Twomey recovering after back surgery to repair discs

Cork show jumper Billy Twomey is recovering in Germany following planned surgery on his back to repair discs.

He is walking with support and hopes to return to his England home next week. On his return to competition, he said: “I am not sure whether [London] Olympia is a bit ambitious, but certainly early in the New Year.”

The World Cup show in Toronto saw Dermott Lennon score a brace, riding Loughview Lou Lou to victory over Cork’s Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon. Lennon also won with Hallmark Elite. Kilkenny’s Richie Moloney and Slieveanorra finished third in the grand prix.

Meanwhile, ShowjumpingIreland executive has instructed that a letter, seeking an extension of Ireland manager Robert Splaine’s contract, be resent to Horse Sport Ireland. It had weeks ago unanimously agreed on the letter, but chairman Christy Murphy confirmed a second letter that also called for the manager’s post to be advertised had also been sent unknown to executive members. Last week, HSI opted to advertise the manager’s job.

At the general assembly of the International Equestrian Federation in Istanbul, Corkman Brian Mangan has been unanimously re-elected as chairman of its Audit and Compliance Committee.