The Underwriting Exchange Irish Show Jumping team finish second in CSIO4* Sharjah FEI Longines Nations Cup

  • 5 February 2023, 18:33

Ireland have finished second in today’s CSIO4* FEI Longines Nations Cup in Sharjah. The Irish team, led by Horse Sport Ireland Show Jumping High Performance Manager Michael Blake, finished on a team score of 14. 

This is the second Nations Cup to have taken place this year and it is also the second Nations Cup Ireland has had a podium finish in – the same combinations were second in the CSIO5* Nations Cup, Abu Dhabi in January of the year.

The 1.50m Four-Star Nations Cup had a total of seven teams competing, with Britain taking first place. Great Britain finished on a team total of 6 faults.

The Irish team, sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange, was 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.

Horse Sport Ireland High Performance Manager Michael Blake said: “We secured another podium finish today. We are disappointed not to take the win but Great Britain out performed us on the day and many congratulations to them. Our horses all jumped well and learned from the experience they are all new combinations at this level but we didn’t jump enough clear rounds and clear rounds win Nations Cups. Once again we are very grateful to the owners who time and time again make their horses available to us and to all who work so hard to produce the horses.”

Speaking about the performance, Michael Duffy said: “We’re happy to finish second today with a strong performance by the team and I’m thrilled with Cinca 3 owned by Hibernia Horses, which is a new venture with some great people involved. She’s new to my stables with this UAE tour being our first outing. Unfortunately, being just over a second outside the time allowed kept us from producing a double clear, but overall, very happy and looking forward to the season ahead with this mare.”

Speaking about his performance, Shane Breen said: “I am delighted with our Team Ireland horses tonight and personally excited for the future with Cuick Star Kervec – it’s always a privilege to wear the green jacket!”

Speaking about his performance, Trevor Breen said: “I’m delighted with the team performance tonight. We gave it our all but unfortunately came up just short against a very good British team. It’s always an honour wearing the green jacket. It’s an unbelievable start to the season being able to showcase the less experienced Nations Cup horses so early on in the year and it is really what sets us up for the year ahead. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season for Horse Sport Ireland.”

Follow Horse Sport Ireland social media channels for live results and updates.

The Irish Show Jumping team is sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange

Charles Ancona – Official athlete clothing supplier to HSI’s Senior Olympic programmes