Athlone's Derwin claims further equestrian honours

The showjumping expertise of Athlone rider Francis Derwin was further enhanced this past weekend when he claimed individual and team awards at the three-star Nations Cup at Vejer in Spain.

On Friday, Derwin was part of the Irish team which won the the prestigious Vejer trophy for the third successive occasion.

Competing with equestrian colleagues, Jessica Burke, Dermott Lennon and Tom Wachman, Derwin, on board his mount Knightfield Stud-bred Flexi K (ISH), the Irish team completed the competition in first place on just four faults. That left the quartet a fence ahead of the USA who finished second on eight faults, while Italy finished third on 10 faults.

Saturday saw Derwin claim a second podium place in Vejer when guiding the Knighfield Stud-bred Flexi K (ISH) to third spot in the three star Grand Prix competition.

Derwin and Flexi K (ISH) had earlier taken victory in the Grand Prix qualifier on Thursday.

There was further equestrian success for Westmeath at the weekend when Mullingar's Ted Fagan produced an exceptional performance with Ballyfore Rosie to win the FEI Jumping Ponies’ Trophy in Lyon, France.