NEWS IN BRIEF: Irish show jumpers shine on the international stage

Last week, Harry Allen made history when he became the first Irish rider to win the Longines Rising Star Award and Mark McAuley scored a podium finish in Spain.

Leanne O'Sullivan

29 November 2017

NEWS IN BRIEF: Irish show jumpers shine on the international stage

Harry Allen (16) won the prestigious Longines Rising Star Award at the 2017 FEI Awards in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Limerick solicitor David Sheehan, seen here at Clarecastle Show, is the Irish Shows Association's new president. \ Susan Finnerty

Mark McAuley finished third in the FEI World Cup qualifier in Madrid with Miebello. \ FEI/Lukasz Kowalski

McAULEY CLIMBS WORLD CUP LEAGUE TABLEMark McAuley and Miebello scored a third-place finish in last Saturday’s five-star Longines FEI World Cup Grand Prix at Madrid in Spain. They took the lead with a clear round in 42.68 seconds, before being overtaken by Roger Yves Bost of France and Belgium’s Niels Bruynseels. Ireland’s Denis Lynch and All Star also made it into the jump-off, finishing 13th overall, followed by Cameron Hanley and Quirex in 15th place.

McAULEY CLIMBS WORLD CUP LEAGUE TABLE

Mark McAuley and Miebello scored a third-place finish in last Saturday’s five-star Longines FEI World Cup Grand Prix at Madrid in Spain. They took the lead with a clear round in 42.68 seconds, before being overtaken by Roger Yves Bost of France and Belgium’s Niels Bruynseels. Ireland’s Denis Lynch and All Star also made it into the jump-off, finishing 13th overall, followed by Cameron Hanley and Quirex in 15th place.

Along with collecting over €23,000 for third, McAuley has climbed to fourth place on the World Cup league table and is now in with a great chance of making it to his first World Cup final. Tipperary’s Denis Lynch is also well positioned in 11th place as the series moves to La Coruna in Spain for round seven on 10 December.

NEW ISA PRESIDENT

Limerick solicitor David Sheehan, is the Irish Shows Association’s new president, having succeeded outgoing president Pat Corbet. The official handover took place at the association’s AGM in the Oakwood Arms Hotel in Shannon last weekend when national secretary Michael Hughes also announced his decision to retire from his role at next year’s AGM.

INTERNATIONAL YEARBOOK

The 2017 edition of L’Annee Hippique is now available and there is great Irish interest once again. In over 280 pages, the entire equestrian season is described, offering detailed reports on all major equestrian events and championships. We will have a review next week. To purchase a copy contact Dermot Forde, Kilmore, Virginia, Co Cavan. Call 087-234 4212 or 086-381 4827 or email deroforde@gmail.com

HARRY ALLEN MAKES HISTORY

On a historic evening for Irish show jumping, 16-year-old Irish rider Harry Allen from Co Wexford has been announced as the winner of the 2017 Longines Rising Star Award. The award is for someone aged 14 to 21 who demonstrates outstanding sporting talent and commitment. Harry Allen, who competes on both horses and ponies at international level, is following in his older brother Bertram’s footsteps, making a name for himself on the international stage in show jumping. He has had a hugely successful 2017, claiming the team and individual gold medals at the FEI European Pony (Under 16) Championships in Kaposvar, Hungary, this summer.