Sweetnam up to third in FEI world rankings

CORK show jumper Shane Sweetnam has risen back up to third in the FEI Longines world rankings after a great run of form in September, which included a five-star Grand Prix win with Coriaan van Klapscheut Z in Rockwood (CAN) and a second-place finish in the opening leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup North American League at Traverse City (USA) with James Kann Cruz (ISH).

Next best of the Irish in 24th place is Daniel Coyle, who competed on Irish soil last weekend, winning both the Irish Masters and Grand Prix at the Northern Indoor Championships (see pages 104-105).

Cian O’Connor and Conor Swail also sit inside the top 30 in joint-27th place. Germany’s Richard Vogel continues to lead the way as the world number one, ahead of USA’s Kent Farrington.

Pau entries

THE entry list for the final CCI5* of the year at Pau in France, taking place from October 22nd to 25th, includes three Irish athletes.

Sarah Ennis is entered with Niki Potterton’s 11-year-old ISH gelding Dourough Ferro Class Act, who is making his first start at the level; Joseph Murphy has the experienced Calmaro, owned by Richard and Tanja Ames, Annette O’Callaghan and Alan Bell, on the list, while Casey Webb is set to make her five-star debut with Steven Smith and John Minford’s 15-year-old ISH mare HHF Elegance.

Irish Horse Board

presence at Le Lion

THE Irish Horse Board will not have a promotional stand at this year’s FEI Eventing World Breeding Championship for young horses at Le Lion d’Angers, but the team will be in attendance. It is understood that the IHB stand at Le Lion over the last three years did not produce the necessary returns and, following a review, the IHB team did not proceed with a physical stand this year, but will have a full team on the grounds promoting the sales companies and Irish horses, as well as providing media content.

USEF appoint new CEO

SONJA Keating has been named the next Chief Executive Officer of US Equestrian Federation (USEF), effective January 1st, 2027.

Sonja currently serves as Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel at the USEF and will succeed Bill Moroney, who retires at the end of this year.

Connemara reigns

supreme M&M at HOYS

THE Co Mayo-bred Connemara stallion Copperbeech Encore won the National Pony Society/ Supreme Products Mountain & Moorland Ridden Pony of the Year Championship at the Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham on Thursday night.

The championship is a culmination of 11 class sections, showcasing 12 native British breeds.

On his way to the title in the main arena, the seven-year-old stallion, owned by Debbie Todd and ridden by Vikki Smith, won Wednesday’s Connemara class after finishing runner-up 12 months ago.

Also a winner of the Connemara ridden stallion class at August’s Gallagher Dublin Horse Show, Copperbeech Encore (Glencarrig Knight - Carrowkeel Star) is bred by Fiona and Tómas Grimes in Ballinrobe Co Mayo. The proud breeders were ringside to witness his success. A full report from HOYS will appear in next week’s paper.