Four wins for Dwan at

Riesenbeck

SHANE Dwan had a fantastic show at Riesenbeck in Germany last weekend, when he won four classes with his talented mounts, the highlight of these being the two-star 1.45m Large Tour class on Saturday.

Just 12 of the 41 starters jumped clear, including Tipperary man Dwan and eight-year-old Cascalino 7, owned by Utz Menke. Dwan flew around the jump-off, knocking more than two seconds off Daan van Geel’s time to finish in 63.80 seconds.

Dwan also won the CSIYH 1* 1.20m Two-phase Special for six-year-olds on Thursday (May 30th) on Narado and won Saturday’s CSIYH 1* 1.20m class for six-year-olds on California 159. Sunday saw Dwan taking both first and second places in the CSIYH 1* 1.25m Two-phase final with California 159 and Narado respectively.

Meanwhile, Richard Howley was on form, with a win in the 1.45m GCTV Speed Class on the opening day of the Longines Global Champions Tour in Cannes - full coverage next week.

Coyle and Kenny win on Devon debut

DERRY’S Jordan Coyle rode For Gold to win the four-star $225,000 Sapphire Grand Prix at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair on his first visit to the Pennsylvania venue.

Coyle’s wife Kim had qualified in the adult jumpers’ class at the show, so he also made the trip and went home with the $74,580 first prize!

Coyle and For Gold rode a flawless jump-off round in 37.45 seconds to take the win, just over half-a-second ahead of American runner-up Lillie Keenan with Kick On, while the only other double clear came from Mark Bluman (COL) with Ibiluc.

Offaly man Darragh Kenny also made hay on his first visit to the show. Kenny and Serendepety first won the four-star 1.45m €38,700 Jet Run Devon Welcome Stakes; Coyle also made the podium on For Gold in third place.

In the four-star 1.45m €38,700 Main Line Challenge Two-phase, Kenny and Vlock Show Stables’ Chic Chic took the top spot, leaving Jacqueline Ruyle (USA) and Cyramo Z in second with a time of 27.45.

Sentencing adjourned in Simpson case

THREE women who admitted their roles in the Katie Simpson murder cover-up have been released on bail ahead of sentencing next week, with a judge warning: “That should not in any way be taken as an indication of how I intend to sentence.”

Jonathan Creswell (36) previously of Briar Hill Gardens, Greysteel, was charged with murdering the show jumper on August 3rd, 2020, and raping her at some time beforehand. He denied all charges against him and the trial got underway on April 23rd, but ended 24 hours later when the court was informed he had been found dead.

Hayley Robb (30) from Weavers Meadow, Banbridge, admitted withholding information and perverting justice. Jill Robinson (42) from Blackfort Road, Omagh, also admitted to perverting justice and Rose de Montmorency-Wright (23) of Craigantlet Road, Newtownards, admitted withholding information.

Judge Rafferty decided to adjourn sentencing, adding his intention to include Victim Impact Statements, because, “It’s important that those who suffered the greatest know their views will be taken into consideration.” The matter will return to court on June 14th.

Simpson on the podium in Le Touquet

DERRY’S David Simpson finished on the podium in Le Touquet, France, last Friday, when he and Pjotr van de Kruishoeve came a close third out of 77 starters in the three-star 1.50m class.

In a tight finish, only 0.14 seconds separated winner, Oliver Fletcher (GBR) on Hello William (41.55) and Simpson’s time of 41.69, with Charles Henri Ferme (FRA) and Bellini Dufaure De L in between in second place in 41.66.

Simpson’s stallion is just nine, so the rider is sure to have been delighted with this placing.

The show at Le Touquet began last Thursday with Simpson on Billy Piccadilly fifth in the three-star 1.45m class. He was seventh in the three-star 1.40m on Ovidius VD Donkhoeve.

Simpson was back in the top five again on Saturday, when fifth in the one-star 1.40m class for seven-year-olds riding Mambo NR 5 B. Billy Twomey placed joint fifth in Saturday’s three-star 1.45m class on Julius.

Latest Irish results

IRISH eventers are out in force at the Bramham International Horse Trials this weekend, with Austin O’Connor looking good in sixth after dressage in the CCI4*-S on his Mars Maryland 5* winner Colorado Blue and also in 10th with Isazsa.

Joseph Murphy and Calmaro were lying in eighth after dressage, with Susie Berry and John The Bull in 11th. Sole Irish competitor in the CCIU254*-L, Molly Evans and Wellan Grafitti were in provisional first place following dressage. Best of the Irish in the DEFENDER CCI4*-L were Susie Berry and Irene Leva in 24th and Padraig McCarthy and Lady Ophelia in 25th. Full coverage next week.

Meanwhile, at the EEF Longines CSIO3* Nations Cup at Roeser, Luxembourg, Ireland were on a zero score after the first round, sharing the lead with Belgium at that point. Full coverage next week.