Dr Austin Darragh RIP

Well-known physician, author, professor, Master of Hounds and great supporter of show jumping, Dr Austin Darragh passed away last weekend after a lengthy illness. Among his family were international show jumper Paul Darragh and equestrian entrepreneur David Darragh. A full obituary will be printed next week.

Allen wins at L.A. Masters

Fresh from a good performance at the Furusiyya final, Wexford’s Bertram Allen made his way to Los Angeles for the rich five-star World Masters last weekend. And he wasted no time getting into the prizes as he brought out Quiet Easy to win the opening speed ahead of Britain’s world number one Scott Brash. The win netted him $42,000. Both Allen and Tipperary’s Kevin Babington had four faults on the board in the first round of the Grand Prix. Meanwhile, next week sees the start of the Western European League of the Longines World Cup at Oslo, followed by Helsinki, Lyon, Verona, Stuttgart, Madrid and London Olympia before Christmas.

Pony riders win French GP

Ireland’s pony riders took the top four places in Sunday’s Pony Grand Prix at Barbizon, France, with Mikey Pender claiming the winner’s trophy with a double-clear round on Clive Swindell’s Cul Ban Mistress. The four Irish riders were the only ones from a starting field of 23 to make it through to the jump-off, with Grace O’Donnell and Orchid’s Vienna also going double clear to take the runner-up spot. Third place went to Patrick Hickey and Wischin Chin M, while fourth was taken by Cormac Foley on Another Destiny (ISH), both riders recording four faults second time out. Wexford’s Harry Allen on Acapella Z had five faults in the first round to finish eighth.