IRELAND now has five riders in the Top 40 of the world's show jumping rankings, according to the latest figures published today (Friday) by the sport's governing body, the FEI.

Jessica Kurten is now the world's second-highest ranked female rider in 15th place, with Denis Lynch dropping two places to 19th since last month, and 30 year-old Cian O'Connor improving one place to 30th. Cork-born Billy Twomey jumps four places to take 36th place, while Mayo's Cameron Hanley showed the biggest improvement in form by breaking into the Rolex Jumping Rankings' top 40 for the first time this year, climbing eight places to 39th.

Swiss rider Pius Schwizer remains the leader in the Rolex rankings for the second month in a row.

The rankings, which cover the period up to the end of February 2010, are compiled and issued by the world governing body, the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) in Lausanne, Switzerland.