Irish Show Jumping team named for Longines FEI Nations Cup in La Baule as Olympic selection looms 

The Irish Show Jumping team face their first of their three allocated 2021 Longines FEI Nations Cup competitions in Europe’s top division tomorrow (Friday), with La Baule in France the venue for what promises to be a hugely exciting and important afternoon of action.

With the selection deadline fast approaching for the Tokyo Olympics, Irish Show Jumping team manager Michael Blake will soon name his squad for the Games and all eyes will now be on how combinations perform at the imminent Nations Cup fixture in La Baule and at Sopot in Poland (June 18th) and finally at Rotterdam in The Netherlands on July 2nd.

Eight teams from Europe Division 1 will be in action in La Baule – Belgium, France. Britain, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden, along with teams from Brazil and Mexico.

Michael Blake arrives in La Baule fresh from guiding the Irish team to an impressive win in the Longines EEF Nations Cup (development series) at Peelbergen in The Netherlands last weekend.

Blake has selected a strong team for for the La Baule FEI Nations Cup with Ireland lining out as follows:

Cork’s Shane Sweetnam with Karlin Van’t Vennehof. – owned by Shane Sweetnam and Seabrook LLC
Offaly’s Darragh Kenny with VDL Cartello – owned by Lorcan Gallagher and Heathman Farm LLC
Wexford’s Bertram Allen with Pacino Amiro (ISH) – owned by Aiden McGrory
Meath’s Cian O’Connor with Kilkenny (ISH) – owned by Susan Magnier

The Longines FEI Nations Cup of France in La Baule starts at 1pm Irish time Friday and is live on FEITV.

Meanwhile a second Irish team will also be in action at the same time tomorrow afternoon in the Longines EEF Nations Cup Series at Uggerhaine in Denmark.

Ireland have been drawn last to jump of 12 teams and Chef d’Equipe Taylor Vard has named his team as follows:

Kildare’s Michael Pender with HHS Calais (ISH)  – owned by Bravo Hughes LTD
Mayo’s Jonathan Gordon with Dorotheental’s Classica – owned by Christine & Theodor Rauber
Waterford’s Capt. Geoff Curran with Glengarra Wood (ISH)  – owned by Minister For Defence
Galway’s Stephen Moore with Team De Coquerie – owned by Vlock Show Stables

The Irish Show Jumping team is sponsored by Devenish & The Underwriting Exchange
Equiline – Official athlete clothing supplier of Horse Sport Ireland

BREEDING
Kilkenny (ISH) –  2012 gelding by Cardento (HOLST) out of MHS Pembrook Lady (ISH) by Guidam (SF) Breeder Sinead Brennan, Co Kilkenny. Owner Susan Magnier. Rider Cian O’Connor.

Pacino Amiro (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Pacino (BWP) out of Carnone Dancing Queen (ISH) by NC Amiro (AES). Breeder: Simon Scott, Co. Donegal. Owner: Aiden McGrory. Rider: Bertram Allen (IRL).

HHS Calais (ISH) – 2011 gelding by Cavalier Royale (HOLST) out of MHS OBOS Cruise (ISH) by OBOS Quality (OLD). Breeder: Ita Brennan, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Bravo Hughes Ltd. Rider: Michael Pender (IRL).

Glengarra Wood (ISH), 2010 gelding by Capitalist (HOLST) out of Cavalier Forest (ISH), by Cavalier Clover Lad (ISH).Breeder: Myles Somers, Co. Wexford. Owner: Minister For Defence.