CORK’S Billy Twomey was in stunning form at the Horse Of The Year Show in Birmingham last week, culminating in him winning the curtain-closing show jumper of he year Grand Prix title at the annual showpiece.

The Longines world-ranking class saw Nottinghamshire-based Twomey deliver two immaculate clear rounds with the 12-year-old gelding Diaghilev, to deny Frenchman Julian Epaillard a successful title defense. Twomey’s jump-off time of 32.31 seconds with the son of Vangelis S, was enough to land the £13,200 top prize, completing a title treble in this class after he triumphed in 2008 and again 2013.

Twomey was one of a dozen riders to make it into the jump-off aboard Diaghilev but they were the only partnership to go clear second time out. “I am absolutely delighted. This week has been brilliant and it is nice to top it off with a Grand Prix win,” said Twomey. “The horses have come into form, and hopefully, I can continue to kick on from this result. Horse of the Year Show is one of my favourite shows, The crowds here really get behind the runners, which helps make it so enjoyable.” concluded the Corkman.

Epaillard finished second with Cristallo A LM, while this year’s Bolesworth international Grand Prix winner, Yazmin Pinchen, took third on Van de Vivaldi. Waterford-born Anthony Condon also made it into the second round with the Arko III-sired Aristio but one fence down and a time-fault in the jump-off saw them finish eighth.

Twomey had already two wins and several top-10 placings under his belt at HOYS before his Grand Prix win last Sunday. He began the show on Thursday with a runner-up finish in the 1.45m two-phase class with Tin Tin, while Condon was close behind in fourth with Balzac.

Shane Breen slotted into seventh place with Undicci, one place ahead of his brother Trevor in eighth spot with Classic.

Also last Thursday, Twomey took third place with Diaghilev in a 1.50m speed class, while Condon and Aristio finished eighth with victory going to Julien Epaillard and Pigmalion du Rozel. Twomey added a victory to his belt on Friday when he shared the winner’s prize with two other riders in the five fence challenge aboard Diaghilev, while Condon and Balzac finished fourth.

Condon also scored a top-10 finish in last Saturday’s 1.55m Irish Horse Gateway Trophy, taking ninth place with Balzac, one place ahead of Trevor Breen in 10th with Georgie D’Auvray EC.

Breen was back in the prizes in the HOYS two-phase class taking runner-up spot with Oldtown KC. Billy Twomey also took the winner’s trophy in last Saturday’s HOYS 1.60m accumulator class with Tin Tin, while Trevor Breen finished fifth with Oldtown KC.