The last major five-star show jumping event of 2016 will, as always, be held at Mechelen in Belgium from Tuesday onwards, and Ireland will be represented by Denis Lynch and Bertram Allen.

The World Cup show will see Lynch, currently ranked seventh in the Western European League on 34 points, attempt to move himself up into the top five. France’s Kevin Staut currently holds the lead on 56 points.

Lynch brings All Star 5, Ho Go Van De Padenborre and Retro III to the Belgian event, while Allen will field High Valley, Izzy By Picobello and Molly Malone V.

Mechelen finishes on Friday with the final World Cup Grand Prix of the year taking place at 2:30 pm Irish time, though the league itself runs until March of next year.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Echo arena is gearing itself up for the four-star jumping competitions that start on December 31st, and Irish riders at the English venue will include Shane Breen, Greg Broderick, Anthony Condon, Michael Duffy, Michael Kearins, Paul Kennedy, former World Champion Dermott Lennon, Denis Lynch, Peter Smyth and Billy Twomey.

Many other Irish show jumpers will also be in transit this week to the annual Winter Equestrian Festival at Wellington in Florida, where competitions will run for several months, starting in early January.

Results and Livestream links to Mechelen and Liverpool – click here.

Jack Burns