Ireland drawn first out of the hat for Friday’s Longines FEI Nations Cup at Hickstead as Pessoa names team

Defending champions Ireland have been handed the toughest possible draw for tomorrow’s (Friday) Longines FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain at Hickstead, with Rodrigo Pessoa’s team first out of the hat in today’s draw. Ireland will be followed into the arena by Sweden, Brazil, Belgium, Germany, USA, Britain and Italy, in what is the second last round of the 2019 series before the teams arrive in Dublin for the Aga Khan on a fortnight’s time.

Pessoa has confirmed his four starting riders and Ireland, sponsored by Devenish and The Undrwriting Exchange will line out as follows:

Waterford’s Anthony Condon with SFS Aristio – owned by Anthony Condon & John Hales
Kerry’s Capt. Brian Cournane with Armik – owned by Brian Cournane, Bob & Christine Stiller
Galway’s Michael Duffy with Mullaghdrin Touch The Stars (ISH) – owned by Jessie Drea & Lynne Humphries
Limerick’s Paul O’Shea with Imerald Van’t Voorhof – owned by Tequestrian Farms LLC

Temperatures at the West Sussex venue hit 35 degrees on Thursday and Pessoa is looking forward a hot competition tomorrow afternoon.

“We are expecting a tough competition. Some riders from the teams here will be looking to do enough to get a place on the squads for Dublin and will also be aiming for the Europeans so it will be very tough but we are hoping to do well,” Pessoa said.

A good result in Hickstead followed by a positive performance in the Aga Khan at the Dublin Horse Show a fortnight later, would see Ireland safely qualify for the Nations Cup final, which once again takes place in Barcelona this October and carries the added bonus of a final team qualification place for the Tokyo Olympics.

Hickstead’s Longines FEI Nations Cup of Britain starts at 2.15pm and is live on Sky Sports Action and on FEITV

The Irish Show Jumping team is sponsored by Devenish and The Underwriting Exchange
Equiline – Official athlete clothing supplier of Team Ireland Equestrian