Young Irish Eventing team looking forward to Jardy Nations Cup Cross Country test

Team manager Dag Albert during the Eventing Junior & Young Rider Final Training in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

The Irish Eventing team are in action in Haras de Jardy, France this weekend for the FEI Eventing Nations Cup.

Interim Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) Eventing High Performance Manager Dag Albert is using the event as an opportunity to debut some exciting new horse and rider combinations that are moving into the senior ranks as well as taking performances from this weekend into consideration ahead of the European Championships taking place later next month.

The team of Jennifer Kuehnle with Sammy Davis Junior (ISH), owned by Margaret Kinsella, Darragh Byrne with Kilcannon Ramiro (ISH), owned by James Byrne, Patrick Whelan and Ikoon Lan, owned by Cathal Daniels and Sian Coleman and Hush A Bye Baby (ISH), owned by Kate Jarvey, currently sit in ninth place on a score of 111.2 in the team competition following the first phase of competition.

France currently hold the lead, with Germany in second and Italy in third.

Speaking ahead of the second two phases, Albert said: “This is an interesting event in an amazing venue. It’s a great opportunity for our riders – Jenny made her senior team debut at Millstreet and for the other three riders this Nations Cup is their senior team debut.

“I’m hoping for a solid performance from the team, following on from a good team performance at Aachen recently, which followed a podium finish in Millstreet.

The Irish team of Sarah Ennis, Joseph Murphy, Jennifer Kuehnle and Ian Cassells with Dag Albert at Millstreet. Credit: Irish Eventing Times

“The cross-country course is quite technical compared to what the riders are used to, but they are all good cross-country riders so it will be interesting to see what tomorrow brings.”

Having gained Olympic qualification at the World Championships last year Albert is in the lucky position to use the Nations Cup series to offer various horse and rider combinations an opportunity on the senior squad and build the strength and depth within the overall squad moving forward.

Following this weekend the focus will move towards the European Championships in August, however, Albert is very much focused on the 2024 Paris Olympic Games above all else.

BREEDING: 

Sammy Davis Junior (ISH) – 2009 bay gelding by Imperial Hights (ISH) out of Cornasaus Connie (ISH), by Condios (HOLST). Bred by Amanda Vogan, Co. Cavan. Owner: Margaret Kinsella. Rider: Jennifer Kuehnle (IRL)

Hush A Bye Baby (ISH) – 2003 mare by Indoctro (HOLST) out of Rock Me Baby (AEAS) by Rock King (WNTR). Breeder/Owner: Kate Jarvey, Co. Cork. Rider: Sian Coleman (IRL).

Kilcannon Ramiro (ISH) – 2012 bay gelding by Ramiro B (BWP) out of Flick Princess (ISH)(TIH), by Kildalton King (ID). Bred by Mary Bolger, Co. Wexford. Owner: James Byrne. Rider: Daragh Byrne (IRL)