Thomas Ryan – TWENTY-nine year old Tipperary rider and TRM Ambassador Thomas Ryan recorded Ireland’s second victory at Basel’s five-star show in Switzerland on Sunday 11th January, when he outpaced a 47-strong international field to collect the 6,000 euro winner’s prize. Basel is the first 5* show to take place on the 2015 calendar and attracts some of the worlds top riders.
Ryan, piloting Aschwanden Simone’s grey stallion Caribo, was third-last to go and spectators were on their feet as he shaved a fifth of a second off the leading time previously set by Brazil’s Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and the 11 year-old mare Malou, finishing in Ā a time of 50.36. Thomas is based in Thalheim, Switzerland, since early 2014.
The following two riders – Switzerland’s Edwin Smits and Germany’s Christian Ahlmann – were unable to match the Irishman’s finish, leaving Ryan as undisputed leader of the class.
Cork’s Billy Twomey also finished in the top ten with a sixth place on the Irish Sport Horse Ardcolum Duke. Twomey had chalked up Ireland’s first win at Basel on Friday with the same horse.
