Billy Twomey scores Hamburg Derby victory with Diaghilev

CORK-born Billy Twomey added his name to the list of winners of the famous Hamburg Derby in Germany, when he lifted the trophy after a jump-off riding Diaghilev.

Thousands of spectators packed into the stands in Hamburg for one of the most exciting events on the European circuit. The demanding derby course saw no combination jump clear in the opening round, and so nine pairings that finished on four faults returned to go against the clock.

Twomey and the 13-year-old gelding Diaghilev managed to jump clear second time out and their time of 49.96 seconds proved untouchable to those who followed.

The Irish Sport Horse Glovers Hill (by Ricardo Z out of a Clover Hill dam) finished second with Britain’s Nigel Coupe, while another Irish Horse, Glenavadra Brilliant (by Brilliant Lad) came home in seventh with William Whitaker.

Meanwhile at Drammen’s three-star show in Norway, Limerick’s Paul Kennedy finished fifth in the feature Grand Prix with the Irish-bred mare Cartown Danger Mouse. Kennedy had finished as best of the Irish in the Nations Cup at Drammen on Friday, jumping clear in the second round with the daughter of Olympic Lux.

In Dressage, 20-year-old Alex Baker made a promising international debut for Ireland at the Young Rider show in Segovia, Spain. Baker recorded two fourth place finishes along with taking third spot in the individual class with the nine-year-old mare Nibeley Uj Lady Lara.