Diarmuid Howley wins German Grand Prix

DIARMUID Howley ended his tour in Westergellersen, Germany on a good note as he claimed victory in the two-star 1.45 Grand Prix last Sunday. Riding Be Aperle Va, he was one of eight double clears from a field of 41 in a time of 36.98 seconds. Howley proved consistent over the course of the show with a host of good results.

On Thursday, he was in the line-up as he took fourth place in the 1.40m international two-phase. Riding De Aperle Va, he kept all the poles in place in a time of 34.96. He was back in the ribbons later in the day, taking sixth place with Clover Va in the 1.30m, when clear in 29.97. On Saturday he added to his haul as he went on to claim fourth place with Clover Va, in the 1.30m, when they delivered another foot-perfect performance in a time of 79.95.

French victory for

Ciaran Dreeling

CIARAN Dreeling got his campaign off to a good start in St Tropez as he claimed victory in the one-star 1.25m on Thursday. Riding Kevlar de Loi, he put in a foot-perfect performance in a time of 64.87. The next day the combination clocked another win, this time in the 1.30m when they came home with nothing to add in a time of 29.11.

On the same day, Louth’s Mark McAuley was best of the Irish in the CSI2* 1.35m two phase, taking third place when clear in 34.12. Further down the line in seventh place was Dreeling and Hertog Jan, also clear in a slower time of 34.88.

On Saturday, Dreeling added to his record as he took third place in the CSI1* 1.35m. this time aboard Olympia van de Padenborre, clear in 43.92.

Austrian win for Dwan

TIPPERARY’s Shane Dwan won two one-star classes in Linz-Ebelsberg, Austria last weekend. He won Friday’s 1.30m with Havalla, clocking the winning round in 66.47 seconds. The combination repeated this performance the next day in the 1.30m, lodging another clear in a time of 67.93.

He also featured in the line-up of the later 1.35m, taking sixth place with Coupe Gold, when clear in a time of 29.72. On Thursday, Dwan claimed a fourth place finish in the three-star 1.45m with Corny 8 when they came home with nothing to add in a time of 69.98 seconds.

Thornton placed

KEVIN Thornton took seventh place in the CSIYH1* 1.35/1.40m at Sentower Park in Belgium. Riding Champions League, he delivered a clear round. On Saturday, the combination improved on his result when finishing sixth place in the 1.40m. This time he had an unlucky four faults. Later in the day, Thornton took third place in the CSI1* with Empire AEG Z when clear in 42.27.