Teams Announced At Abbotstown Launch As Team Ireland Equestrian Gears Up For 2014

THE World Equestrian Games, the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping series, the new FEI Nations Cup series in eventing and the underage European Championships in show jumping and eventing were singled out by Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Pat Wall as key targets for this year’s international season at Team Ireland Equestrian’s 2014 launch at Abbotstown today (Monday).

He was joined at the launch by Irish Sports Council CEO John Treacy.

HSI Chairman Prof. Pat Wall said: “For success in equestrian sport two athletes have to be in peak condition and if we are to achieve victory in the international arenas both horse and rider must be trained and ready.

“The main target for 2014 will be the  the World Equestrian Games which are important in their own right but also provide Olympic qualification opportunities. However, the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping series, where Ireland finished third last year, will again be a focus this year.

“In eventing we have the first ever Nations Cup on Irish soil at Ballindenisk from April 10 to 14, while we will be trying to add to 2013’s seven medal haul at underage European level.

“The entire Irish Sports Horse sector needs our riders to be successful and we are lucky that we have some phenomenal ambassadors amongst them.

 “I am confident that the hard work and dedication of our competitors, their coaches and support teams and above all the commitment of the owners who supply the horse power, will deliver for the sector and for the country.”

Irish Sports Council CEO John Treacy said: “Horse Sport Ireland is making huge progress in high performance sport. The results of the underage squads in recent years have been consistently outstanding and there have been some excellent displays at Olympic and World level by the senior riders. Sustained success at international level is a realistic and valuable ambition for Ireland“.

Amongst those also attending today’s launch in the Irish Sport HQ in Co.

Dublin were Ireland’s 2012 Olympic Bronze Medal show jumper Cian O’Connor, and Eventing riders Aoife Clark and Joseph Murphy.

Ireland’s Senior High Performance Show Jumping Team Manager Robert Splaine was present to announce his selections for the first leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ in La Baule, France (16th May) as Cameron Hanley, Denis Lynch, Cian O’Connor and Billy Twomey the following teams were also announced:

EVENTING: Ballindenisk Nations Cup Team (April 10-14) Sam Watson – Horseware Bushman (ISH) Sarah Ennis – Sugar Brown Babe (ISH) Camilla Speirs – Just a Jif (ISH) Joseph Murphy – Electric Cruise (ISH)

SHOW JUMPING: Pony Nations Cup Team Fontainebleau (April 17-20) Jessica Kuehnle – Gold Digger Douglas Sean Monaghan – Attyrory Rebel Hannah O’Shea – More Clover Michael Pender – Doon Laddie Jack Ryan – Ardglass Lady