Irish Senior Eventing Team Named Ahead of Home Nations Cup

Dag Albert has named the Irish Eventing team to contest the CCIO4* Nations Cup in Millstreet this week

The Irish Senior Eventing team will compete in their first FEI Nations Cup of 2023. Taking place in Millstreet, Co Cork this is the only leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup to take place on Irish soil.

Today interim Irish Senior Eventing High Performance Manager Dag Albert named his team.

Competing in the following order the team is:

1. Sarah Ennis with Grantstown Jackson [TIH](ISH), owned by Peter Cole and Susanna Frankie.
2. Jennifer Kuehnle with Polly Blue Eyes, owned by Hans Kuehnle.
3. Ian Cassells with Millridge Atlantis (ISH), owned by Fiona Leahy and Gerry Leahy.
4. Joseph Murphy with Calmaro, owned by Claire Mayne, Charlie Mayne, Annette O’Callaghan and Richard Ames.

Ennis has recorded two top ten international placings with the 12-year-old gelding Grantstown Jackson this year – finishing second in the CCI4*-S in Ballindenisk and sixth in the CCI4*-S in Chatsworth earlier this month.

Kuehnle has represented Ireland at Young Rider and Junior level with Polly Blue Eyes and completed Boekelo CCI4*-L at the end of last season, only adding time penalties to their dressage score.

A familiar name on the national circuit, Ian Cassell’s makes his second appearance on a senior team, partnering the 9-year-old gelding Millridge Atlantis. This combination competed in the 7-year-old division at the FEI/WBFSH World Breeding Eventing Championships for Young Horses in Le Lion d’Angers, France in 2021. They completed their first CCI4*-S in Ballindenisk this spring.

A partnership since 2020, Murphy and Calmaro finished eighth in Kentucky CCI5* last year as well as finishing second in the CCI4*-S in Aachen, Germany last year.

Ireland’s Joseph Murphy and Calmaro (Photo: Irish Eventing Times)

Ireland have been drawn first to go out of the 12 nations competing in the 4* Nations Cup.

Speaking about the team Albert said:

“I’ve been out and looked at the course – it looks fantastic. The ground is in very good condition and the fences are lovely. The course has some nice challenges in it and should make for a good competition.

“I think the four Irish riders on the team are four strong contenders. The team is a great mix of youth and experience which should hopefully work well.”

Millstreet has once again attracted large entries of both Irish and international athletes. This year the international event includes an Olympic Qualifier for Group F&G as well as the CCIO4*-S for the Nations Cup. Other international classes at the former Eurovision venue include a CCI4*-L and long and short format 3* and 2* classes, as well as a CCI1* and CCI2* for Young Horses.

Live for results for the event are available here.

Breeding:

Grantstown Jackson (ISH) – 2011 gelding by Clover Brigade (ISH) out of Winnign Lass (TB) by Right Win (TB). Breeder: Caroline Widger, Co Waterford. Owner: Peter Cole and Susanna Frankie. Rider: Sarah Ennis (IRL)

Millridge Atlantis (ISH) – 2014 gelding by Dinan Cascaletto (ISH) out of Kereen Sue (ISH) by Warrenstown You 2 (ISH). Breeder: Sean O’Loughlin, Co Kilkenny. Owner: Fiona Leahy and Gerry Leahy. Rider: Ian Cassells (IRL)