HE may have been on the hunting field in Ireland with the Ward Union last week, but this weekend, world number one show jumper Peder Fredericson is favouriteto add the Rolex Top 10 Final in Geneva to his list of wins this year.

Fredricson became the Longines FEI world number one for the first time in his career in October and holds on to that spot for the third consecutive month, ahead of Germany’s Daniel Deusser in second and Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann in the number three spot.

With seven Irish in the world’s top 50, Conor Swail is the highest ranked at number 13. He is followed by Darragh Kenny (16), Shane Sweetnam (20th), Denis Lynch (22nd), Bertram Allen (39th) and Jordan Coyle (40th).

There were big celebrations in Co Kildare and Kilkenny this week as 22-year-old Mikey Pender entered the top 50 for the first time in his career in 44th place. Pender is ranked second on the Longines U25 ranking behind Swiss Olympian Bryan Balsiger, while British Olympian Harry Charles is ranked number three.

Marion Hughes’ Hughes Horse Stud (HHS), whom Pender rides for, posted on social media: “Very special news for all us. We all delighted and proud. Riding horses bred by Marion and also from Auntie Ita, Shaika Maitha, Paul van den Bosh, Java Stud and Studfarm Overis made this last six years unforgettable for our team lead by Mikey. Our story isn’t finish yet. We are looking forward for 2022.”

Geneva

There is no Irish representative in the Rolex Top 10 Final this weekend, following Darragh Kenny’s runner-up result during the last renewal in 2019. Two Irish riders have claimed the title in its 20-year history: Jessica Kürten (Castle Forbes Libertina, 2007) and Billy Twomey (Tinka’s Serenade, 2011).

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping also continues at the five-star CHI Geneva in Switzerland.

After winning the Aachen, Germany’s Daniel Deusser goes to the venue as the live grand slam contender with Killer Queen VDM.

Bertram Allen, Mark McAuley and Darragh Kenny are in five-star action at the venue, while young riders Jason Foley and Jack Ryan are competing in the Under 25 division, and eventer Cathal Daniels will ride Alcatraz in the Indoor Derby.