THOUGH the Nations' Cup contest at Falsterbo in Sweden will be the highlight of equestrian sporting action this weekend, Irish riders will also compete at a five-star show in Calgary, Canada, and at four-star competitions in La Coruna, Spain and Geesteren in the Netherlands.

Ireland won the Swedish Nations' Cup last year and will need to put in a good showing on Friday to haul themselves up the Meydan Superleague table, where they currently rank sixth, with just four legs left to go.

The Irish squad at Falsterbo will be the same as at Rotterdam two weeks ago - Shane Breen, Jessica Kurten, Dermott Lennon, Denis Lynch and Capt. David O'Brien. Team Ireland Equestrian's show jumping boss Robert Splaine will pick his team of four on Thursday night.

Eventing will see Irish entries at both three and two-star competitions at Britain's Barbury Castle, while in show jumping Offaly's Darragh Kenny will try to repeat last weekend's Grand Prix success at Lake Placid in New York State, where he will be joined by Jonathan McCrea. Other two-star show jumping action sees three Irish competitors at Bonheiden in Belgium.