IN a welcome development, the past number of weeks saw a big increase in the amount of coverage given to equestrian sport by both RTE and TV3 in their main evening news bulletins. Irish show jumping riders were mentioned six times in the last four weeks alone for their winning exploits at London Olympia and Liverpool International Horse Show.

Video footage of Co Antrim teenager Christopher Megahey’s (18) puissance victories at London Olympia and Liverpool was shown on the main evening news bulletins, while Billy Twomey’s second Grand Prix win at Liverpool with Diaghilev was also featured on last Monday’s RTE Six-One Sport, sharing the headlines with Premier League football and top racing. Recent good results by Cian O’Connor and Denis Lynch were also given television airtime, as was Billy Twomey’s La Coruna Grand Prix win before Christmas.