Out-of-contention Twomey pulls Serenade out of World Cup

Having fallen out of contention, Billy Twomey yesterday pulled out of the World Cup final citing Tinka’s Serenade age.

The Cork show jumper was well placed after Friday’s first round in Lyon, France, finishing eighth with the 17-year-old mare, but eight faults in the first round of Saturday’s jump-off ended his aspirations, dropping him to 17th ahead of today’s deciding rounds.

“Considering I’m four fences off the leader, I decided to save Tinka for another day,” said Twomey. “There’s grands prix and nations cups on the horizon and, considering her age, I feel this is the right decision.”