Liverpool international to return in 2018

Many of you will have heard that a massive fire broke out in a multi-storey car park adjoining the Echo Arena where the Liverpool International Horse Show was taking place over the Christmas period.

The four-star horse show ended abruptly on New Year’s Eve when a car went on fire above the stable area, sparking off a raging blaze which destroyed 1,300 cars.

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All horses and people were safely evacuated and Aintree Racecourse opened up its stables for those who could not get home.

President of the Liverpool International Horse Show, Nina Barbour, has said the horse show will return to the venue next December.

In a statement, she said: “It was with considerable regret that last night’s final session of the show had to be cancelled due to a serious fire in a multi-storey car park near to the Echo Arena, and on advice from the emergency services, who worked tirelessly all night to contain and extinguish the fire.

“We are not going to let go of what we achieved in the first five sessions of the show, and we will be back to do it again next December.”

Six Irish show jumpers in top 50

The Longines world rankings released last week show Ireland beginning 2018 with six Irish show jumpers in the world top 50, one more than the month of December.

Bertram Allen leads the Irish in 20th place, after his Grand Prix win in Stockholm, Sweden, as well as his five-star win in Olympia, saw him move up two places to 20.

Shane Breen made the biggest leap, moving up 12 places and into the top 50 in 47th place.

Cian O’Connor remains in 24th position, while Denis Lynch is up one place to 25th.

Shane Sweetnam is next best, remaining in 38th place for another month, and Daniel Coyle is up just one place to 43rd. Coyle broke into the top 50 in April 2017 and has kept his position since.

America’s Kent Farrington holds the number one spot for the ninth month in a row, while Dutchman Harrie Smolders has moved in to second placed, ahead of McLain Ward.

Kildare’s Judy Reynolds ranks 17th in the dressage rankings, while Carlow’s Sam Watson is the only Irish eventer to feature in the top 50, coming in at 39th place.