A TOTAL of nine international venues will see Irish riders compete for points and prize money this weekend, with the German Nations' Cup at Aachen and the European Championships for Children and Juniors in France the main focus of attention at different ends of the experience scale.

Thursday night sees the Irish senior show jumping team face into one of its biggest challenges of the year when the eighth leg of the Meydan Superleague takes place under lights in the huge and forbidding arena at Aachen, Germany.

Show Jumping manager Robert Splaine has this evening (Wednesday) selected his strongest possible team as Billy Twomey (Tinka's Serenade), Dermott Lennon (Hallmark Elite), Cian O'Connor (K Club Lady) and Denis Lynch (Lantinus), but the world's other top ten nations will also be putting forward their very best riders and horses for what is always seen as the toughest tournament in the series.

Splaine will be hoping for a top three finish to help hike Ireland clear of relegation danger before the final two Nations' Cups take place at Hickstead, England in July, and Dublin in early August, but being drawn first to jump at Aachen will not work in the team's favour.

Ireland will also field five combinations under Chef d'Equipe Comdt John Ledingham for the Children on Horses European Championships at Haras de Jardy in France, with an identical number competing for the Junior European Championships.