The Underwriting Exchange Irish squad named for Aga Khan Trophy

19 August 2022; Ireland Chef d’equipe Michael Blake lifts the Aga Khan trophy alongside riders, from left, Cian O’Connor, Shane Sweetnam, Conor Swail and Max Wachman after their victory in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Ireland during the Dublin Horse Show at the RDS in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Michael Blake has named his five-member squad for The Underwriting Exchange Nations Cup of Ireland for the Aga Khan Trophy.

Horse Sport Ireland High Performance Show Jumping Director Blake has selected his quintet, from which four will line up, for next Friday’s Dublin Horse Show highlight with hopes high for another strong showing to continue what has been a fantastic season to date.

Irish senior show jumping teams, sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange, have reached double figures for podium finishes in 2024, winning at the highest level most recently in Aachen, as well as a Longines League of Nations success in Ocala earlier in the year.

They will bid to regain the Aga Khan trophy, having last won it in 2022 and finishing runners-up last year.

The squad selected, in alphabetical order, is Daniel Coyle (Co. Derry), Darragh Kenny (Co. Offaly), Denis Lynch (Co. Tipperary), Mark McAuley (Co. Louth) and Cian O’Connor (Co. Meath), with the horses they will ride to be confirmed early next week.

The Irish Show Jumping team is sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange

Charles Ancona – Official athlete clothing supplier to Horse Sport Ireland’s Senior Olympic programmes

Bucas – official supplier to Horse Sport Ireland’s High Performance programme

The Irish High Performance Show Jumping Programme is exclusively funded by Sport Ireland