Final fantasy as Ireland bid for League of Nations glory

Michael Blake’s number one-ranked team hoping to follow-up league win in Barcelona

It is the culmination of an exceptional season in the Longines League of Nations as Ireland bids to cement its position as the number one show jumping team in the world.

For the final of the competition Michael Blake, Chef d’Equipe of the The Underwriting Exchange Senior Irish team, has chosen a crack quartet for the assignment.

They are some of the world’s best – Daniel Coyle with his brilliant mare Legacy, Denis Lynch with the ultra-consistent Vistogrand, Mark McAuley with his Irish Sport Horse GRS Lady Amaro, just pipped to Rolex Grand Prix glory at the Dublin Horse Show.

They are joined in the squad by 150+ times capped Cian O’Connor with Fancy De Kergane, the horse that has jumped 11 clear rounds in Nations Cup this year. Mikey Pender, who won the Grand Prix in Barcelona on Friday night, will be on standby as the fifth member of the squad with HHS Calais (ISH).

The opposition will be stiff, as is expected in the final of a major competition such as this, but it is a challenge Blake is looking forward to.

The Irish team of Shane Sweetnam, Daniel Coyle, team manager Michael Blake, Cian O’Connor and Darragh Kenny on the podium in Ocala. Pic: Morgan Froment

He said: “It has been a great competition for us – we topped the league at the end of the series after winning points for our runner-up finish in Abu Dhabi and obviously the win in Ocala.

“The level of consistency we’ve shown all year has been unmatched with more podium finishes (14) than any other country in the world in Nations Cups, so now we’re here in Barcelona hoping for a big finish.”

Ireland’s High Performance programme is the envy of the sport, with youth level successes feeding into the senior arena, and while Blake heaps praise on the five selected for Barcelona, he also gives a special mention to the large pool of riders who have jump in green jackets throughout the year.

“The lads here in Barcelona have all enjoyed a brilliant year, they have been a model of consistency for us,” adds Horse Sport Ireland High Performance Director Blake.

“That being said, we have had close to 30 riders represent their country at senior level this year and that tells its own story as to what it is we’re trying to achieve with this programme.

“We have no problem selecting young riders for senior Nations Cups and they have shown they can hold their own there.

“Some of these riders would have jumped in Youth European Championships earlier in the season, and these went on to win the silver medal at the recent EEF Series final in Warsaw.”

The Irish team and support staff celebrate after winning the five star Nations Cup in Aachen, Germany, earlier this season

This Sunday, a who’s who of the world’s best line up to represent the top eight teams in the competition, having been whittled down from 10 over the course of the season.

Ireland face Brazil, France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States, with hosts Spain also taking part.

Dangers lie everywhere, and Blake knows that the task ahead will be a tough one.

“Of course, this is where the world’s top riders want to be and you can see that from the teams the other chefs have chosen,” added Blake.

“You have the Olympic gold, silver and bronze medal winners here, as well as the world number one.

“It’s a star-studded affair but our team is also full of stars and brilliant horses so we’re coming here confident and hoping for the best.”