Irish riders make big gains on World Rankings

Ireland now has six riders inside the world top 50 and eight riders in the top 100. Offaly’s Darragh Kenny has climbed five places to 37th, while Meath-based Cian O’Connor moves up three places to 40 and Cork’s Billy Twomey lies in 48th. Other Irish Show Jumping riders in the top 100 include Cork’s Shane Sweetnam (51), Kilkenny’s Richie Moloney (58), while Co Derry’s Daniel Coyle, who has been in stunning form since making a permanent move across the Atlantic, made an incredible jump of 56 places and is now ranked at No.84 in the world. Germany’s Christian Ahlmann retains the No.1 spot, with Simon Delestre (FRA) in second and McLain Ward (USA) in third.

DRESSAGE

In Dressage, Kildare’s Judy Reynolds continues to improve her position and is now ranked 19th in the world. Reynolds followed an excellent showing at the Olympic Games in Rio with a string of Grand Prix winning results recently in the USA. Germany’s Isabell Werth is the new Dressage World No.1 taking over from fellow German rider Kristina Broring-Sprehe who drops to second.

EVENTING

Irish Eventing riders have also made huge gains this month. Tipperary’s Padraig McCarthy has moved up seven places to 38th, while Galway’s Cathal Daniels makes a big jump of 33 places to 41st. Ireland has eight Eventing riders inside the top 100. including Jonty Evans (60), Aoife Clark (63), Camilla Speirs (76), Susannah Berry (80), Sarah Ennis (86), and Austin O’Connor (91). German super-star Michael Jung continues his relentless regin at the top of the Eventing standings with a comfortable lead over second-placed American rider Phillip Dutton who collected a large amount of his world ranking points aboard the Irish Sport Horse Mighty Nice.