THE European show jumping sunshine tours have kicked off around Europe and Irish riders are, as always, flocking to the sunshine in their droves and have begun with some good results at the one and two-star show in Oliva, Spain.

Co Clare’s Eoin McMahon won last Thursday’s 1.35m Table A with the 12-year-old chesnut stallion Chiricco Z (Chin Chin x Figaro), when clear in 66.87 seconds. McMahon finished fourth in Sunday’s one-star 1.40m class aboard the Irish Sport Horse FTS Killossery Konfusion (SIEC Livello x Cruising).

The German-based rider faulted in the jump-off in a time of 36.27.

Victory went to Germany’s Christiane Boos and Kilar (0/0 33.80).

Tipperary’s Thomas Ryan was sixth in Friday’s one-star 1.40m aboard Bombay 33 with a clear in 65.26 seconds, and fifth on the same day in the two-star 1.40m with Tryba du Lerchenberg.

Mayo’s Jack Dodd placed third in Saturday’s two-star 1.30m Accumulator with Enterprise. Dodd scored the maximum 65 points in a time of 52.19 seconds. Victory went to Spain’s Olivia Díaz Bañon with El Paciente de Sauco in 50.60.

Irish horse

Michael Kearins was another to enjoy a few trips to the prize giving and he placed fourth in Saturday’s national 1.40m class with the Irish Sport Horse Sligo Balou Boy (Balou du Rouet x Caletto I).

The combination went on to place second in Sunday’s national 1.45m Grand Prix behind Spain’s Alfonso Arango.

Kearins was one of just two clears in the first round and produced another clear against the clock to slot into the runner-up position.

Co Cork’s Shane O’Reilly placed fifth in Sunday’s two-star 1.30m aboard Elvira when clear in 68.89 seconds, while Patrick Joyce finished sixth in the one-star 1.20m with Fort Blue.