SLIGO’S Richard Howley was the sole Irish representative at week two of the Danube Champions Tour, which ran at Samorin in Slovakia over the weekend. Howley made his presence felt in the 1.35m Big Tour speed class last Thursday, when he steered Emoraldi-Terma Z into the runner-up spot with a clear round in a time of 60.49 seconds.

There were 67 on the start list, with 27 of them negotiating their way round the course without penalty, with time being the deciding factor between the clear rounds. The win went to Constantin Cojocariu (ROU) on Ampaya VD Leuba, who finished in the fastest time of 58.53.

Howley and his mount then finished ninth in the 1.40m Big Tour Final on Sunday. Of the 43 starters, 10 jumped clear in round one to proceed to the jump-off. Only five of those remained fault-free over the shortened course, with Howley picking four jumping faults plus two for time to place ninth. Mart Ijland (NED) on Magnum VE won the class when double clear in a jump-off time of 30.7.