Blake Names Irish Team Ahead of 5* Nations Cup in California

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) Show Jumping High Performance Manager Michael Blake has named The Underwriting Exchange Irish Show Jumping Team ahead of Sunday’s FEI Longines 5* Nations Cup in San Juan Capistrano, USA.

Blake named his team, who will jump in the following order;

1. Mark Kinsella with Quality H , owned by Attache Stables Ltd.
2. Andrew Bourns with Sea Topblue, owned by Andrew Bourns and OBS Equestrian LLC.
3. David Blake with Claude, owned by Pine Hollow Farm.
4. Conor Swail with Count Me In, owned by Sandy Lupton and Mannon Farm.

Irish Show Jumping High Performance Manager Michael Blake. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Blake is hopeful of a strong showing in what is the third five-star FEI Nations Cup of 2023. The team consists of some of Ireland’s most experienced riders and also sees Mark Kinsella make his senior Nations Cup debut.

Ireland enjoyed a spectacular season with Nations Cup victories on four continents last year, capped off by that memorable Aga Khan success at the Dublin Horse Show in August.

The 2023 season got off to a strong start, with The Underwriting Exchange Irish Show Jumping team finished third in Abu Dhabi. This is the second leg that Ireland will be fielding a team for, and Blake is hopeful for a strong performance.

Speaking in advance of the Nations Cup which will take place on Sunday evening Irish time, Blake said;

“We’re delighted to be here, as always, we’re here to win. We’re slightly up against it in so far as the Americans on their home patch have fielded a very strong team but our horses and riders are in good form, and I believe that our team of riders is up there with the best in the world. We’ll be looking to give the Americans a run for their money.”

The Irish Show Jumping team is sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange

Charles Ancona – Official athlete clothing supplier to HSI’s Senior Olympic programmes

Breeding:

Sea Topblue (ISH) – 2011 gelding by Chacco Blue (MECKL) out of Sea Top Lady (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeders: James & John Meade, Co. Clare. Owner: Andrew Bourns and OBS Equestrian LLC. Rider: Andrew Bourns (IRL).