Irish Show Jumping squad named for Nations Cup World Final in Barcelona

Irish Show Jumping team manager Rodrigo Pessoa has named his squad for this weekend’s Longines FEI Nations Cup World Final, which takes place at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain.

The Devenish & The Underwriting Exchange-sponsored Irish team comfortably qualified for the World Final back in August, after finishing second on the Europe Division 1 Nations Cup league table. A total of 15 teams will line out in Barcelona, with Ireland up against Belgium, Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Britain, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Canada, USA, Brazil and The United Arab Emirates.

The Irish squad for the Nations Cup World Final is:

Tipperary’s Shane Breen with Ipswich Van De Wolfsakker
Waterford’s Anthony Condon with SFS Aristio
Mayo’s Michael G Duffy with Lapuccino 2 (ISH)
Offaly’s Darragh Kenny with Balou Du Reventon
Cork’s Billy Twomey with Kimba Flamenco

Irish team manager Rodrigo Pessoa said:

“We are very much looking forward to competing in Barcelona against 14 strong teams. We are looking to put in a good performance and to qualify for the final on Sunday. We will be trying to try to erase the bad taste that our result in Tryon [at the World Equestrian Games] has left, as it would be unfortunate if Tryon was the reflection of what has overall been a very successful Nations Cup season – we want to finish on a high.”

The competition, which carries a total prize fund of €1.7 million, begins on Friday, following which the top eight teams will qualify for the final on Sunday. The remaining seven teams will compete in Saturday’s Challenge Cup final.

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