BILLY Twomey and Peter Charles - both shortlisted for the Irish Olympic team - started the British Open Show Jumping Championships at Sheffield tonight (Thursday) in fighting mood, clocking up three Top Ten places in the first two competitions.

Twomey and the ten yr-old mare <Anastasia lll> took a Third in the speed class, while a short time later the Cork-born rider was sixth in the British Masters with <Whinnie Jackson>. Peter Charles, meanwhile, took fifth in the same competition with the eight yr-old chestnut gelding <Rockstar>. Both riders made it through to the jump-off in the Masters, and both registered double clear rounds.

Twomey and Charles have their top string of horses at the four star event in Sheffield, which runs until Sunday.

SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSI4* SHEFFIELD GREAT BRITAIN 15-18 APRIL 2004

The British Open Show Jumping Championship
First Competition
FEI Art. 239 & 263 Table C 1m55
Thursday, 15th April 2004

1) MR SPRINGFIELD; Robert SMITH (GBR) Time 49.41
2) CUSHTY; John RENWICK (GBR) Time 51.24
3) ANASTASIA III; Billy TWOMEY (IRL) Time 51.35

30 starters
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The Sheffield Masters
International Jumping Competition
FEI Art. 238.2.2 Table A 1m50 with one jump-off
Thursday, 15th April 2004

1) BLUE CHIP QUINTON; Paul BARKER (GBR) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 35.64
2) GEM OF INDIA; John WHITAKER (GBR) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 35.78
3) IZAURA G; Leon THIJSSEN (NED) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 36.61

5) ROCKSTAR; Peter CHARLES (IRL) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 37.27
6) WHINNIE JACKSON; Billy TWOMEY (IRL) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 37.44

29 starters

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