SHOW JUMPING: Blake names team for Sharjah CSIO4* Nations Cup

Michael Blake names Irish team ahead of FEI 4* Nations Cup and is looking forward to a great performance

Horse Sport Ireland Show Jumping High Performance Manager Michael Blake has named his team for the first four-star FEI Longines Nations Cup of 2023, taking place in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates on Sunday the 5^th of February 2023.

The Irish team, sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange, will be as follows:

1. Michael Duffy riding Cinca 3 owned by Hibernian Sport Horses Ltd

2. Jessica Burke riding Nikey HH owned by Liam Nicholas

3. Shane Breen riding Cuick Star Kervec owned by Breen Equestrian Ltd & Quirke Sport Horses Ltd

4. Trevor Breen riding Germaine W owned by Mandy Hall

Speaking about the team announcement, Blake said:

“We are looking forward to a good performance on Sunday. We have the same team as we had in Abu Dhabi and these combinations are gaining valuable experience at this level. It is still early in the year and we are grateful to our owners and riders for making the horses available to us. Irish riders really prioritise nations cups and this puts us in very strong position going forward.”

Ireland have drawn last to go out of eight teams competing, Egypt will be first to go. Britain, who finished second in the opening five-star FEI Longines Nations Cup in Abu Dhabi, have been drawn seventh to go.

The Nations Cup will take place on Sunday the 5^th of February at 12:30pm.
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