Dag Albert Names Team ahead of Aachen FEI Eventing Nations Cup

The Irish Eventing Team will travel to Germany at the end of the month for the FEI Eventing Nations Cup

HSI Interim Eventing High Performance Manager Dag Albert has named his team ahead of the CCIO4* FEI Nations Cup in Aachen, Germany.

Taking place from June 28^th-July 7^th, the event attracts a competitive field each year, with several countries using the event as preparation for championships.

The Senior Irish Eventing Team is coming in off the back of a successful home FEI Nations Cup in Milstreet, Co. Cork on the June Bank Holiday weekend, where they recorded a third-place finish.

The team for Aachen is as follows:

• Susie Berry with Kilcandra Capitol (ISH), owned by TruckEast Limited.
• Cathal Daniels with Rioghan Rua (ISH), owned by Margaret Kinsella and Frank Kinsella.
• Sarah Ennis with Action Lady M (ISH), owned by Andrew Cox.
• Joseph Murphy with Calmaro, owned by Claire Mayne, Charlie Mayne, Richard Ames and Annette O’Callaghan.

Susie Berry has risen through the underage ranks and made her senior World Championship debut at Pratoni last year, helping Ireland secure all-important team Olympic qualification for Paris 2024. At 10-years-old, this will be the first senior Nations Cup appearance for Kilandra Capitol. This combination was fifth on their CCI4*-L debut in Blair Castle last year.

2019 European Bronze medallists Rioghan Rua and Daniels are making their return to the team. The pair finished just outside the top ten in Luhmühlen CCI5*-L last year and were third in the CCI4*-S in Millstreet last June.

At only 9-years-old Action Lady M is the youngest horse on the team. Partnered by Ennis, this combination has recorded some excellent results including a sixth place finished at the 8- and 9-year-old CCI4*-S in Blenheim last year.

Murphy and Calmaro head to Aachen on the back of their Millstreet success – finishing best of the Irish and third in the CCIO4*-NC, as well as being ninth in the CCI5*-L in Kentucky and fourth in Aachen last year.

Speaking about the announcement Albert said: “I have selected a very accomplished team of riders with a combination of experienced and potentially exciting younger horses for the future.

“It’s a strong team and I’m hoping for a good result, Aachen is an amazing venue to compete in with a really big atmosphere and it’s great to have a team competing there.”

Breeding:

Action Lady M (ISH) – 2014 mare by Pilot Blue (KWPN) out of Action G (ISH) by Acorado (HOLST). Breeder: Susanne Macken. Owner: Andrew Cox. Rider: Sarah Ennis (IRL)

Kilcandra Capitol (ISH) – 2013 gelding by Orestus (KWPN) out of Beavers Bugsy Malone [TIH] (ISH) by Hallodri (ATA). Breeder: Kilandra Stud. Owner: TruckEast Limited. Rider: Susie Berry (IRL)

Rioghan Rua (ISH) – 2007 mare by Jack of Diamonds (SWE) out of Highland Destiny [TIH] (ISH) by Flagmount King (ID). Breeder: Margaret Kinsella. Owner: Margaret Kinsella and Frank Kinsella. Rider: Cathal Daniels (IRL).