Irish riders set for London event

Three Irish riders will compete this weekend at the world-famous Olympia pre-Christmas show in London, starting on Thursday.

Last year Cian O'Connor and Denis Lynch carved up many of the classes between them at the historic west Kensington indoor arena with wins and top five places, but only O'Connor returns this year, alongside Cork's Billy Twomey and Mayo-born Cameron Hanley.

Twomey will campaign a total of four horses, as will O'Connor, but Hanley - recently voted Irish show jumper of the Year - will line out with three.

Denis Lynch, meanwhile, appears instead at the four-star show in Frankfurt, Germany alongside former Irish World Champion show jumper Dermott Lennon.

In Spain, Jessica Kurten begins competing on Friday with three horses, including her top ride Castle Forbes Libertina, at La Coruna's five-star event, which lasts until Sunday.