Allen highest in Longines world rankings, Lynch has biggest gain

WEXFORD’S Bertram Allen remains the highest-placed Irish rider in the Longines World Jumping Rankings after September’s competitions, while Tipperary-born Denis Lynch achieved the biggest gain.

Twenty year-old Allen retains his place at No.7, while Lynch, following his Barcelona Grand Prix win with Thomas Straumann’s All Star, has risen nine places, from No. 29 to No. 20.

Ireland has a total of eight riders in the Longines top 100. Besides Allen and Lynch, Conor Swail is at No. 40 (up three places), Darragh Kenny at No. 55, Cian O’Connor up five places at No. 65, Cameron Hanley is at 88, Shane Sweetnam at 90, and Billy Twomey at 92.

Kevin Babington hovers just outside the top 100, at No. 107.

The Longines World Show Jumping rankings measure the performances of over 2,000 international riders each month, and the current leader is Britain’s Scott Brash, with the USA’s Beezie Madden in second place.

The rankings are published by the world governing body for the sport, the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Denis Lynch (left) and Bertram Allen