Fresh from their stunning silver medal win at the FEI Eventing European Championship, Ireland are back in action this week at the Nations Cup Final in Boekelo, The Netherlands.
Dag Albert’s team produced a remarkable comeback to land the runner-up spot in Blenheim Palace last month, with only Germany besting them, and they come into Boekelo in confident mood, having won the corresponding Nations Cup last year.
The Horse Sport Ireland Eventing High Performance Manager selects two athletes who competed in Blenheim Palace; Padraig McCarthy and Susie Berry, and they will be joined in the team by Georgie Goss and Joseph Murphy.
Eight nations will line up for the team event, with the Irish joined by Britain, Germany, France, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium and The Netherlands.
Albert is hopeful of another positive result on what last year proved to be a happy hunting ground.
He said: “Obviously we took a lot of confidence from Blenheim – it was a brilliant result and a fantastic performance. While Padraig was on the team there and Susie competed as an individual, Georgie and Joseph were thereabouts when it came to selection for that championship.
“They are both such talented riders and both are riding talented horses, so I’m excited to see what they can do this week in Boekelo.
“The opposition is strong and I’m sure Britain will be coming here looking to make up for things at Europeans. France and New Zealand also look like they’ve brought some very good combinations too but our riders and horses are in a good place at the moment and I’m looking forward to it.”
The Irish Eventing team, in alphabetical order, competing at the FEI Nations Cup Final in Boekelo is as follows:
- Susie Berry – John The Bull owned by Helen Caton & Caroline Berry
- Georgie Goss – Kojak owned by Molly Fisher, Lucy Fleming, Samantha Wilson & Georgie Goss
- Padraig McCarthy – MGH Zabaione (ISH) owned by Peter Cattell & Diane Brunsden
- Joseph Murphy – Calmaro owned by Richard Ames, Tanya Ames, Alan Bell & Annette O’Callaghan
BREEDING:
MGH Zabaione (ISH) – 2016 gelding by Zavall VDL (KWPN) out of Viancara VDL (KWPN) by Acobat II (HOLST). Breeder: Padraig McCarthy (IRL). Rider: Padraig McCarthy (IRL)