THE final leg of equestrian sport’s biggest team competition will be held in Ireland this year.

The concluding competition of the Meydan Nations' Cup series will be the Nations' Cup of Ireland for the Aga Khan Trophy at the Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show in August.

The decision was confirmed yesterday by the International Equestrian Federation, the FEI.

Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh said that this was fantastic news for Ireland and was a further example of the standing of the Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show on the international stage.

“The Meydan Series is the champions' league of show jumping and to have the final leg in Dublin is fantastic. The league winners and the relegation issues will be decided there and the eyes of the world will be on the results,” he said.

The Meydan series is limited to the top nine show jumping teams in the world and takes place over eight venues throughout Europe.

The Irish team has qualified for the series again in 2010 and Team Manager Robert Splaine is looking forward to the competition.

“The Aga Khan trophy already has a special place in the hearts of Irish people but to have it as the last leg of the Meydan series gives it even more significance on the world stage,” he said.

The Nations' Cup of France is the first leg of the series and takes place in La Baule, France on May 14th.