October 15, 2023 
When Richard Howley (IRL) left County Sligo in the West of Ireland at age 17 to work for British Olympian Michael Whitaker, he dreamed of one day winning a World Cup qualifier.
On Sunday in Norway, he made that dream a reality—and spectacularly at that.
Howley, 31, captured the one of the biggest wins of his career with the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Olso by topping a 17-horse jump off field featuring some of the biggest names in the business.
Among them: world no. 1 Henrik von Eckermann (SWE), 2022 World Cup champion Martin Fuchs (SUI), 2014 World Cup champion Daniel Deusser (GER), and 2020 Olympic bronze medalist Maikel van der Vleuten (NED), to name a few.
The time to beat was set early in the Elio Travagliati designed jump off by France’s Simon Delestre, who, second to return, delivered a blistering clear in 34.85 seconds.
“Delestre laid down the gauntlet,” said Howley.
Making one stride less aboard Consulent de Prelet Z, the Irishman shaved 0.3 seconds off the time, crossing the timers in 34.55s to take over the lead and, ultimately, the win.
“I’m over the moon!” said Howley. “My horse jumped unbelievable and it’s an incredible feeling, I have my parents here with me for the first show in a long time so they brought some Irish luck!”
Delestre settled for second place with Dexter Fontenis Z, the only other pair to stop the clock under 36 seconds. Third place went to Jack Whitaker (GBR) and Equine America Valmy de la Lande, who posted one of 10 double clears on the day.
The victory is the latest in a standout season for the Irish rider. Howley collected six big wins in three weeks on the Sunshine Tour in Spain earlier this year. With Consulent, a 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding that has been in Howley’s string since 2021, he averages just 2.29 faults at 1.60m and jumps clear at a 36% clip at the height, according to Jumpr App. That stat jumps to 75% at 1.55m.
“I’ve had Consulent for about 18 months and he’s jumped numerous clears in the Global Champions and won a 1.60m class in Dublin this year—he’s super consistent. My intention has been to get as many good results on the board as possible and to push for the World Cup Final,” he explained.
Sunday’s victory puts Howley atop the Western European League standings with 20 points after leg one of 14 in the 2023/24 season.
“It’s one of my biggest achievements,” Howley said of the Oslo win. “These are what dreams are made of.”
Leg 2 of the Western European League heads to Helsinki next weekend.
