Splaine names team of four for Florida Nations’ Cup

IRISH show jumping manager Robert Splaine tonight (Tuesday) confirmed the four Irish combinations that he has selected to contest the Nations’ Cup in Wellington, Florida, on Friday night.

The Irish team will jump in the following order:

Daragh Kenny with Imothep (Owners Hyperion Stud LLC)
Shane Sweetnam with Chaqui Z (Owners Lisa Lourie, Spy Coasts Farms LLC)
Cian O’Connor with Quidam’s Cherie (Owners Adena Springs)
Kevin Babington with Shorapur (Owners Shorapur Group)

Ireland is drawn fifth to jump of nine nations competing, and the two-round competition will start at midnight Irish time on Friday.

Splaine said after announcing his selection: “We wouldn’t be favourites going into this competition – but when the irish flag is flying, anything is possible!”

Ireland had a surprise win in the Ocala Nations’ Cup in Florida earlier this month with Kevin Babington, Daragh Kenny, Conor Swail and Lorcan Gallagher all riding horses making their debut at that level. However, neither Ocala nor Wellington are points-scoring Nations’ Cups for Ireland, who compete in the top league Furusiyya series in 2015.

Darragh Kenny and Imothep will open for Ireland in Florida