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World Cup Qualifier, Bordeaux, France, Saturday.

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:01:00 +0000

Well all the horses jumped well yesterday and all had a nice warm up.

Now the serious business begins and its time to try and win something.

Wings Sublieme jumps in a class that is on now and has about ten to go before her.

Romanov jumps at 4pm our time 3pm with you and is 20th to go.

Tinka jumps in the World Cup Qualifier which is at 8:30 here 7:30 with you at home and is 31st to go.

I will let you know how I get on!

World Cup Qualifier, Bordeaux, Friday.

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:32:00 +0000

This weekend the World Cup Qualifier action moves to Bordeaux, France.

I have the same three horses with me as last week, with Tinka's Serenade aimed at the World Cup Qualifier tomorow and Romanov for the Grand Prix on Sunday.

Wings Sublieme will jump the speed classes.

I have had a good start to my show. Wings jumped a nice clear in the speed class this afternoon and Tinka had a warm up round and jumped a nice clear for a time fault so all going well so far.

Romanov jumps the big class later this evenning.

There are only two World Cup Qualifying legs left now before the final, so pressure will be on to gain good points for everyone and also there is the small matter of Olympic Qualification to maintain!

I will keep you up to date with how I go.

Zurich World Cup Show Round Up

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:44:00 +0000

The World Cup Qualifier at Zurich did not go to plan. I had the first fence down and then another early back rail. As Tinka's Serenade has done a few shows on the run now and has Bordeaux World Cup Qualifier this coming weekend I decided to retire her from the class and save her for this coming weekend.

The same three horses head of to Bordeaux Tinka's Serenade, Romanov and Wings Sublieme.

We start jumping on Friday and I will let you know how I get on.

Here is a picture of Tinka jumping in Zurich by kind permission of Katja Stuppia.

Zurich World Cup Show, Saturday

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:10:00 +0000

Yesterday the horses all went good. Tinka was 12th in the Grand Prix. She had a the plank of jumping into the combination but nearly half the class had this down and she jumped really well. She gets a day of today in preparation for the World Cup Tomorrow.

Romanov jumped in a speed class and jumped a nice clear and he has the big class this morning.

Wings Sublieme was 4th in her class and is improving all the time. She jumps in the Top 15 class today which is for riders in the top 15 of the World Rankings so it will be another step up for her but she feels well capable.

It is quite important this week that I try to pick up some good points to maintain my position at the head of the Olympic Qualifying List to ensure Ireland has the maximum riders competing at the Olympics. The cut of date is the very end of February so 4 weeks to go!

I will keep you informed of how I get on.

World Cup Qualifier, Zurich, Friday

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:08:00 +0000

This weekend the World Cup action moves to Zurich.

We start jumping today. I have the same three horses with me as last week and they have traveled straight here.

Unusually the Grand Prix is today and World Cup Qualifier is on Sunday, so I will use Tinka's Serenade in those two classes, with a day of in between.

Romanov will jump the second classes and Wings Sublieme will jump the third classes.

Live results and start lists will be available here:

http://www.mercedes-csi.ch/en-start_ranglisten.phtml

I will keep you up to date!

Leipzig World Cup Qualifier, Germany, Sunday

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:55:00 +0000

A great weekend in Leipzig.

Tinka's Serenade was second in the qualifier for the World Cup Competition narrowly missing out on winning a car, and then went on to be fourth in the World Cup Qualifier gainning some valuable World Cup Points.

This moves me up to 19 on the Western European League Qualifying Table and means I am curently in a qualifying position on the table but there is a way to go yet.

The other great aspect of my weekend, was that Tinka's great performance moves me in to the lead in the Olympic Qualifier Ranking List, meaning we still have two riders in Qualifying positions for London 2012. Although the final cut of for these qualifiers is not till the end of February it strengthens Irelands position as I was lying in third on the table.

Wings Sublieme continues to improve and jumped some lovely rounds throuout the weekend and Romanov had an unlucky weekend but thats horses!

Leipzig World Cup Qualifier, Germany

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:29:00 +0000

This weekend the action moved to Leipzig in Germany for a World Cup Qualifier. We start jumping later today (Thursday).

I have Tinka's Serenade, Romanov and Wings Sublieme with me.

Tinka will be aimed at the World Cup Qualifier on Sunday and Romanov will probably be aimed at the Grand Prix which is on Saturday. Wings Sublieme will jump the third classes.

Lets hope the change of fortune that happend on the final day of the show in Basel last weekend continues.

I will kepp you informed of whats happening!

Basel Grand Prix

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:14:00 +0000

I had a great end to what had been a very average show in Basel, Switzerland.

Tinka's Serenade jumped a really good first round and felt like she was on great form.

11 horses went through to the second round and I was first to go so did not have many choices other than to go for it.

Tinka jumped a great round to end up in 4th position overall.

The class was won by Roger Yves Bost riding Castle Forbes Myrtylle Paulois who jumped a cracking round.

Basel, Sunday Morning

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:27:00 +0000

Well I have had a quiet show to be honest. Tinka's Serenade has jumped well and been unlucky as has Romanov.

We just have the Grand Prix left to jump this afternoon at 1:30 pm. I am 14th to go on Tinka. Lets hope we have a change of luck!!!!

Basel, Friday Morning

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:09:00 +0000

Yesterday was a good start to my show. Tinka had a jump round in the smaller class just to get her going after the break and jumped round for a time fault, jumping really nice.

Romanov jumped the big class for a time fault and jumped a really nice round.

Today Romanov will get a day of as there is only a speed class for him and I dont want to jump him all 4 days and there is better money over the weekend.

Tinka will jump the big class tonight at 8.15pm and I am 45th to go and then will probably have a day off on Saturday in preparation for the Grand Prix on Sunday.

Je Taime has had a few schooling rounds now so I will not jump him again here as he is not as fit as I would normally have him.

You can follow the results live from Basel here:

http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/649/649zeitplanENG.htm

I will let you know how I get on!

Happy New Year!

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:05:00 +0000

A Happy New Year to all. Joanne and I had a lovely Christmas in Egypt with our three children and it was a great break but I'm raring to get going again.

This weekend I am competing in Basel, Switzerland.

I have Tinka's Serenade for the Grand Prix, Romanov for the second classes and Je T'aime Flamenco is on his way back to full fitness so I have brought him with me to give him some work and a jump in a few smaller classes.

The action starts on Thursday with the Grand Prix on Sunday.

2012 is a big year lets hope it starts on a good note!

London Olympia, Friday Morning

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:27:00 +0000

I had an ok start to Olympia yesterday. Wings Sublieme had a couple of fences of but the atmosphere is electric in the arena and its a lot for a young horse to take in so I was pleased with the way she dealt with a whole new experience for her, she is learning all the time and coping well.

Romanov had the last fence of in his class but jumped well and would have won the class if he had gone clear so not a bad start for him and he ended 9th.

I decided not to jump Tinka as I want to keep all my options open for her and her focus is definately the World Cup Qualifier so I want to keep her as fresh as possible.

Tinka jumps today at 3pm and is 12th to go, Wings jumps at 6:45 and is 14th to go, Romanov has a day of. I am not jumping the puissance.

Joanne and the kids are arriving today after school so it will be great to have an evenning to spend with them when they arrive.

World Cup Qualifier, London, Olympia

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:20:00 +0000

This weekend the World Cup Qualifier action moves to London, at Olympia.

I am taking Tinka's Serenade who will be aimed at the World Cup Qualifer on Sunday.

Romanov joins Tinka and he will be aimed at the Grand Prix on Monday.

My trio of horses will be rounded of by Sally Lane's Wings Sublieme who will be in the speeds and smaller classes.

I love Olympia as it's on my doorstep and Joanne and the children can attend, without it being a major logistical problem to get three young children and all the toys they want to bring with them, half way accross Europe!

Olympia is also a special show as its very Christmas orientated and the kids love it. Depending on how the classes fall, we may even get home on a few evennings, as its only an hour or two from home.

I will keep you up to date with how I get on.

Billy is Named International Rider of the Year

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 09:46:00 +0000

BILLY TWOMEY WINS INTERNATIONAL RIDER OF THE YEAR TITLE AT IRISH AWARDS CEREMONY

BILLY Twomey took the International Rider of the Year Award at the 2011 Show Jumpers' Ball in Killashee House Hotel, Naas tonight (Saturday) after a glittering year that saw him win numerous international Grands Prix, culminating in victory at the Rolex Top Ten competition in Paris earlier this month.

The Rolex Top Ten featured the world's top ten riders, and the 34 year-old Corkman produced a foot-perfect double clear round to claim the 50,000 euro top prize and the coveted Rolex trophy aboard Sue Davies's mare Tinka's Serenade.

Billy comments " I am honoured to receive this award. I have had a great year, which is recognised by this award. 2012 is going to be such an influential year, I hope I can reproduce the same form and a win in the major championships next year would be great for us all. Congratulations to all the other winners of the awards, they are recognition of some very hard work and well deserved. I would just like to take this opportunity to thank my great owners, the backroom team and my sponsors, without whom none of my achievments would be possible. They are

Amerigo, Belmondo, Equiline, Connolly's RED MILLS, EuroBale, Equine Matrix, Equiform, easibed, Samshield and Veredus"

The 2011 Irish National Show Jumping Awards also saw the European Gold Medal-winning Children on Horses team take the Team Of The Year Award, under the management of Comdt. John Ledingham, who personally also won the Coach of the Year Award and the 2011 Hall of Fame Award.

The Special Achievement Award went to the Clarke family of Cavan Equestrian Centre, while the Show Of The Year Award was won by the Horseware Ireland Louth County Show.

Michael Duffy picked up the Young Rider of the Year accolade, and Alexander Butler the Rookie of the Year, while the Amateur of the Year Award went to Martin Wilson.

The Groom of the Year title went to Oonagh Kennedy, and the Ballymaloe Ladies' Award was won by Sinead Thompson.

ends

This information will also be available on HSI website www.horsesportireland.ie

Tin Tin Joins The Team

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:15:00 +0000

Today sees the announcement of a new arrival to the team of horses owned by Sue and Ed Davies and ridden by Billy Twomey.

Sue has purchased Tin Tin the 9yo grey gelding, formally ridden with success by Graham Lovegrove.

Sue Ed and Billy have enjoyed great successes over the past decade with their horses and hope that this could be another horse who can add to those successes.

Billy Comments

"Being ranked as high as I am in the Rolex Rankings means that I have the opportunity to compete at a lot more shows than I have previously had access to. This means that I cannot keep asking the great team of horses I currently have, to compete every weekend without a break. The new editions to the team will hopefully mean I can ease the load and swap and change the competing team more often.

I have always liked Tin Tin when I have seen him compete with Graham and I look forward to having him as part of our team. He will have a few weeks at home to settle in and then he will do a few shows as second horse to ease him into things. With the addition of Sublieme Wings and Special Lux we are hopefully adding some depth to the team for the future.

Gucci Paris Masters, Sunday

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 09:58:00 +0000

Romanov was ninth last night in the Gucci by Gucci big class. Rolf Goran Bengtsson had set a really fast time in the jump off which was always going to take some beating, so it it was really a choice of going for the lower placings or a win, I chose going for the time and was unlucky.

Today Romanov is in the speed class at around 12 here in Paris and is 31st to go.

The big money today is for the Grand Prix, Tinka's Serenade is 6th to go and the class starts at around 2:45 pm.

I have had a cracking weekend so far, it would be nice to round it of with a Grand Prix win!

Here is a picture from the photo shoot yesterday at the Eiffel Tower image courtesy of Kitt Houghton

Gucci Masters, Paris, Saturday

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 11:11:00 +0000

What a 24 Hours!

Tinka and I are the Rolex Top Ten Champions!

It's been a whirl wind few hours, we celebrated our win last night with a few drinks bearing in mind there is some great competition still to come here at the Gucci Paris Masters.

This morning I had an early photo shoot at the top of the Eifel Tower with the Rolex Trophy for Rolex and the Gucci Masters. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rolex and Gucci for putting so much effort and resources into our sport they are both brilliant supporters of show jumping and they deserve recognition for their investment. The sport is richer not only financially but in sporting terms for their involvement.

Today Tinka has a well deserved easy day being pampered by Alana and I will take her for a leg stretch later just to keep her sweet and happy in preparation for the Grand Prix on Sunday.

Romanov jumps this evening in the big class, he is 11th to go.

Anybody want to see the highlights of my win last night? You can watch it here:

Tinka's Serenade and Billy are Rolex Top Ten Champions!

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:04:00 +0000

Tonight Ed and Sue Davies's brilliant mare Tinka's Serenade and I became the Rolex Top Ten Champions at the Gucci Paris Masters Horse Show.

This is one of the biggest wins of my career to date.

I am delighted for Ed and Sue Davies who have been such brilliant and supportive owners to me over the past decade. I am also delighted for everyone involved in our team, Alana who manages all the travelling horses as they fly around the world and all the team back at home in our two yards in the UK, hopefully wins like this make all the hard work they put in worth while.

The course was as big as any Grand Prix track I have seen and whilst demanding big bold jumping, also required a horse that could be careful. Tinka Jumped her socks of I could not be more pleased.

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank my family of sponsors and supporters

Amerigo, Belmondo, Equiline, Connolly's RED MILLS, EuroBale, Equine Matrix, Equiform, easibed, Samshield and Veredus

Without the support of great owners and sponsors I would not be ranked, as I am, in the Worlds Top Ten Show jumpers, I am eternally grateful to them

All Images curtesy of Jenny Abrahamsson

Gucci Paris Masters, Friday Morning

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:41:00 +0000

Today the action starts in earnest. Je T'aime Flamenco has already jumped yesterday and this morning but he is just here to let me ride him a little as he has had a few weeks of and needs to get going again.

Romanov jumps at 6:15 pm (Paris time) this evenning (we are an hour ahead of you at home) and is 21st to go.

Tinka's Serenade jumps at 10pm and is 3rd to go in the Rolex Top Ten Final which has the top ten riders from the Rolex Ranking list in it so competition will be hooooot!

All the horses feel well and are on fine form so lets see if we can have a great weekend

EuroBale Announce Support of Billy Twomey

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:45:00 +0000

Today EuroBale have confirmed their support for Billy.

http://www.eurobale.com/

EuroBale are a leading UK supplier of haylage and hay. They grow all their own haylage to maintain a consistent quality and transport it free.

Billy comments:

"I chose EuroBale, as I needed to ensure I had a secure supply of hay and haylage, which was of the superior quality that my horses require to compete every week at the highest competition levels, on a worldwide stage. EuroBale ensures my horses are in top condition. I look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with EuroBale and am comfortable in the knowledge that their products keep my horses in the best shape possible"

Richard Brooks of EuroBale comments:

"We already provide our products to some of the largest yards in the racing industry and have clients such as Andrew Nicholson in the eventing world. We are delighted to have Billy and his yards as part of our family of sponsored riders and establishments. Billy has been consistently ranked in the world's top ten show jumping riders. It is confirmation of the quality of our products, that Billy feels they meet and exceed his demands for top quality hay and haylage to ensure his horses are in top condition"