Splaine names team for Aachen Nations’ Cup

WITH Ireland embarking on an historic double-discipline weekend at one of the world’s premier equestrian venues, Show Jumping Manager Robert Splaine has named his team to take part in the first of the major competitions on Thursday night.

The World Equestrian Festival at Aachen in Germany will feature two Nations’ Cups – one in show jumping and one in three-day eventing, and Ireland will compete in both for the first time.

Lining out in show jumping, and drawn last of eight teams to jump, are:
Dermott Lennon/Loughview Lou Lou (ISH)
Shane Breen/Balloon
Shane Carey/Ballymore Eustace
Billy Twomey/Tinka’s Serenade

The Nations’ Cup at Aachen will be the final opportunity for Ireland to gain points in the new Furusiyya Nations’ Cup League before the last of its qualifiers at the RDS in the Aga Khan Trophy in August. Ireland currently lies third in the Furusiyya Europe Division 1 standings on 150.67 points, with Switzerland in the lead on 180 and France second on 157.67.

Also at Aachen, Team Ireland Equestrian’s Eventing High Performance Manager Nick Turner has named the four riders who will represent Ireland in their first CIC3* Eventing Nations Cup at the Festival.

The eventing team in alphabetical order is:

Sarah Ennis/Sugar Brown Babe
Aidan Keogh/Master Tredstep
Joseph Murphy/Electric Cruise
Austin O’Connor/Ringwood Mississippi

All the team horses taking part in the Aachen Eventing Nations’ Cup are Irish Sport Horses. The Three-Day Eventing Nations’ Cup finishes on Saturday.