Blake hopeful of defending BMO Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows

Michael Blake raises the trophy aloft after Ireland’s BMO Nations Cup win at Spruce Meadows last year

Michael Blake is hopeful of a repeat performance at the five-star BMO Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows in Calgary tomorrow night.

Blake led The Underwriting Exchange Irish Show Jumping team to its first Spruce Meadows Nations Cup win since 2001 last year and, off the back of a stellar 2024 season, hopes are high of retaining their crown.

The Horse Sport Ireland High Performance Show Jumping Director raised the biggest trophy in the sport last year as Ireland won on a score of five faults, beating Germany into second and hosts Canada into third.

Two members of that team, Daniel Coyle and Denis Lynch, return tomorrow night and they join Mikey Pender and Cian O’Connor in the quartet.

Blake said: “Last year was brilliant – it was our first win here in over 20 years and it was certainly one of the season’s highlights.

“We have podium finishes well into double figures this season and I’m hoping we’ll be very competitive again this weekend.”

Ireland face six other nations – Spain, France, Canada, Switzerland, Britain and Germany and have been drawn fourth to jump.

“We’re facing some stiff opposition, that’s for sure, but our lads have all been jumping very well and have so much experience at this level so they’re really looking forward to it.

“It’s always a magnificent show here at Spruce Meadows and always a fiercely-contested Nations Cup but these are the ones we want to be up there fighting for and I can’t wait.”

The Underwriting Exchange Irish Show Jumping Team competing at Spruce Meadows is:

• Daniel Coyle (Co. Derry) with Incredible, owned by Ariel Grange
• Mikey Pender (Co. Kildare) with HHS Calais (ISH), owned by Hughes Horse Stud
• Denis Lynch (Co. Tipperary) with Vistogrand, owned by Tipperary’s Finest EST
• Cian O’Connor (Co. Meath) with Fancy De Kergane, owned by Susan Magnier