Billy Twomey now sole Irish hope for World Cup final

Billy Twomey and Tinka's Serenade

A fall by Tipperary's Denis Lynch at today's (Thursday, 28 April) first World Cup Final qualifying competition at Leipzig in Germany means that Cork-born Billy Twomey will be Ireland's only hope for success in the two remaining competitions.

Lynch, 34, lost his balance after an awkward landing by Thomas Straumann's gelding 'Abbervail van het Dingeshof' and was unseated. Under FEI rules this leads to automatic elimination, so the Irish rider will not be able to proceed to the next round on Friday.

Twomey and Sue Davies's chestnut mare 'Tinka's Serenade' had an unfortunate fence down during today's speed class, and finished in 16th place in the overall rankings. This means that the Irish rider must now try to achieve fault-free rounds in the remaining two competitions to be in with a chance of World Cup victory.

Last year's fifth-placed Irish finalist, Dermott Lennon, was in 13th position after the first day of the World Cup classes.

Today's qualifier at Leipzig saw Germany's Marco Kutscher take the lead with the bay gelding 'Cash'. Kutscher collected 25,000 euro for his win, and is now on 44 points, compared with Twomey's 28.

Friday's World Cup jump-off begins at 1.45pm Irish time. The final two rounds take place on Sunday.

SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSI5*-W LEIPZIG GERMANY APRIL 27 - MAY 1 2011

Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping
1st Qualification for the World Cup Final Jumping competition against the Clock - Table C FEI Art. 239/263 - Art. 659.1.2.2
1m55
Thursday April 28, 2011

1) Cash; Marco Kutscher (GER) Faults 0.00 Time 63.55
2) Sabrina; Marcus Ehning (GER) Faults 0.00 Time 63.79
3) Taloubet Z; Christian Ahlmann (GER) Faults 0.00 Time 64.03

16) Tinka's Serenade; Billy Twomey (IRL) Faults 4.00 Time 71.02

43 starters


This information will also appear on HSI website www.horsesportireland.ie

NB: The above information is from an unedited media release from Horse Sport Ireland