Derwin wins five-star speed class at Dublin Horse Show

Athlone's Francis Derwin claimed five-star glory in the first international class at the Dublin Horse Show yesterday (Wednesday).

Derwin was victorious in the first five-star speed class, beating off the challenges of Daniel Coyle (a man who jumped three clear rounds at the Olympic Games in Paris) and Niamh McEvoy (who has, like Derwin, enjoyed European Championship success).

A European Championship U21 team gold and individual silver medallist, Derwin and Parvati AEG actually spearheaded an Irish 1-2-3 in the main arena at the RDS.

The young Athlone show jumping star has enjoyed a lot of success with Parvati AEG this year, but they took it to another level by seeing off a strong global challenge of 43 combinations in the test against the clock.

Although almost half of the field went clear (21), none were as rapid as Derwin and his nine-year-old chestnut mare, who registered a time of 52.51 seconds after being fourth into the ring.

That was almost a second clear of Tyrone pilot Niamh McEvoy, who joined forces with Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick. Derry's Daniel Coyle was another second back on Lena VDL to complete a podium with a distinctly green hue.