04/06/09 A TOTAL of 34 riders will carry the Irish colours in competitions throughout Europe this weekend.
As well as the five-strong Nations' Cup squad lining out for the third Meydan Series clash at St. Gallen, Switzerland, Ireland also has a substantial representation in show jumping at the four-star shows in Vimeiro, Portugal and De Steeg in the Netherlands, as well as riders and horses in the two-star events in Herselt, Belgium and Piatra Neamt in Romania.
Vimeiro sees Joanne Sloan-Allen, Dermott Lennon, Dave Quigley, Conor Swail, Alex Duffy, Jessica Kurten, David Simpson, Denis Coakley and Tom Davin all competing over the next four days, while De Steeg has Kevin Babington, Cameron Hanley and Thomas Ryan flying the flag for Ireland.
Trevor Coyle will be in action at Herselt, while Gerry Flynn is the sole Irish rider in Romania.
Pony, Junior and Young Riders take part in the Nations' Cup show at Wierden in the Netherlands, while Anna Merveldt will be seeking more wins in international dressage at Lipica in Slovenia with 'Coryolano' and 'Werucci'.