Two-star win for Simon McCarthy in Traverse City

CORK’s Simon McCarthy won last Thursday’s two-star 1.45m two-phase in Traverse City, Michigan, USA. Riding Rock Ridge Farms’ 11-year-old mare Gotcha, he landed €12,000 when fastest of 14 clear rounds in the competitive class, breaking the beams in 22.11 seconds. Britain’s Amanda Derbyshire slotted into second place with Wonder If (0/0 22.17). McCarthy and Gotcha had earlier finished second in a 1.45m and went on to place sixth in Sunday’s Grand Prix where victory went to USA’s Cathleen Driscoll (Dame de Pipqe). McCarthy was one of 12 clears in the first round and picked up four faults against the clock in a quick time.

Vermont victory for Wille Tynan

KILKENNY’s Willie Tynan filled the top two places in the $40,000 Equinox Grand Prix at Vermont Summer Festival in the USA over the weekend. Tynan took the winner’s prize with Seattle, a nine-year-old gelding owned by MDM Equestrian Group and also filled second place with Fenise. “Seattle is my youngest horse – he’s the baby!” said Tynan with a smile after his win. “We didn’t go crazy – he jumped a fantastic round. He has really come a long way for sure and deserved this. I am just really happy with him – he was super!”

Luciana Diniz

returns to ride for Team Brazil

FOUR-time Olympian Luciana Diniz has announced she has changed her nationality to Brazil after 16 years of riding for Portugal. She announced the news on her social media, saying: “After a break of almost a year, 16 amazing years wearing the red and green colours of Portugal in three Olympics - London, Rio and Tokyo - top 10 in the last two and number four in the world ranking list, we went through countless success and glory stories. Just as the tides change, I will once again be wearing the coat of Brazil with which I participated in my first Olympics in Athens. I am full of enthusiasm to write another chapter in my colourful sporting career towards Paris.”

Runner-up finish for Michael G Duffy

MAYO’s Michael G Duffy finished second in a 1.45m jump-off at the two-star show in Sentower Park, Belgium, last Friday. Riding the 10-year-old gelding Borelli T, he was one of five double clears in 37.97 seconds to earn €5,100. Victory went to Brazil’s Francisco José Mesquita Musa with Carte de Blue PS (0/0 37.48) and the pair went on to win Sunday’s Grand Prix ahead of Germany’s Sophie Hinners in second with Churchill 48.