IRELAND'S show jumping manager Robert Splaine has confirmed his team of four who will compete in the second leg of the Meydan Nations' Cup Superleague in Rome, Italy today (Friday).

Ireland have been drawn third to jump of 11 teams, and will compete in the following order:

Cameron Hanley (Southwind VDL)

Darragh Kenny (Obelix)

Cian O'Connor (K Club Lady)

Billy Twomey (Tinka's Serenade)

Offaly-born Kenny and Mayo's Hanley were members of the team that finished sixth in the first competition of the 2010 series at La Baule France, two weeks ago, but O'Connor and Twomey are lining out for the first time this year.

O'Connor, though himself a Nations' Cup veteran, will be introducing his new mare 'K Club Lady' to international team jumping for the first time, while Cork-born Twomey campaigns on Sue Davies's experienced mare 'Tinka's Serenade'.

The 2010 Meydan Series runs through eight competitions at the world's top show jumping venues and finishes at the Dublin Horse Show in August, when the four lowest-scoring teams will be relegated to the Promotional Nations' Cup league.

The world's top ten teams take part in the series, though at Rome the home team will be allowed to participate, but will gain no Superleague points. The competition begins at approximately 2.10pm Irish time.

 

Billy Twomey - anchorman at Rome for Ireland