World rankings

SWEDEN’s Peder Fredricson continues to hold the top position in the Longines FEI world rankings for the second month in-a-row, ahead of Germany’s Daniel Deusser in second spot, while Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) has jumped up to number three. There are six Irish show jumpers in the world’s top 15. Offaly’s Darragh Kenny leads the way in 17th, jumping 11 places from 28th. Conor Swail has moved up 20th, just ahead of Shane Sweetnam (21st), Denis Lynch (25th), Bertram Allen (40th) and Jordan Coyle (45th). Twenty-two-year-old Mikey Pender has made significant progress to sit 56th in the world, while he is number two in the Under 25 world rankings behind Switzerland’s Bryan Balsiger.

In eventing, Cathal Daniels is the only Irish rider in the top 50, sitting in 37th place. Britain’s Oliver Townend continues to hold onto the top sport, ahead of Piggy March and last week’s Pau five-star winner Tim Price.

Monart sale

THE Monart Sale was ongoing as we went to press following two viewing days at the Enniscorthy venue for the 113 three-year-olds offered. The first day of bidding on Thursday returned a number of top prices, including €34,500 for Lot 33, an unnamed three-year-old by KEC Maximum Joe, and €32,000 for Lot 20, MBF Do The Maths (Grennan Fort x Jackson’s Drift). There will be a report from the Monart Sale in next week’s paper.

Studbook approval

LEISURE Horse Ireland announced they had received approval from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to operate and maintain a studbook for the Welsh Pony & Cob.