SCROLLING down through the Hippomundo show jumping breeders rankings, there’s a couple of Irish links spotted, including Swedish-based Eamon Hickey’s Stall Hickey (36th) where Albführen’s Bianca, (€426,528) was bred, or Wexford-born Donal Barnwell (43rd), the joint-owner with William and Pippa Funnell of the Billy Stud in Sussex and whose top show jumping earner last year was Billy Diamo (€106,257).

Unsurprisingly, the first Irish-based breeder on the list is longtime sport horse breeder Dr Noel Cawley (75th), whose half-dozen ambassadors on the Hippomundo list include Hybernia (Flexible), Ballypatrick Flamenco (Je t’Aime Flamenco), Dowth Hall (Flexible), Mullaghdrin Limber (Flexible) and Flexability (Flexible).