TEAM Ireland was unbeatable on Saturday night, at the second leg of the Longines League of Nations, held under the lights at the World Equestrian Centre in Ocala, Florida, with a prize fund of $770,000 on offer. This new series sees the top 10 teams in the world compete in each of four legs – at Abu Dhabi (UAE), Ocala (USA), St Gallen (SUI) and Rotterdam (NED) – each trying to secure one of eight places in the final in Barcelona (ESP) in October. The competition in Ocala was certainly world-class, with 16 of the top 20 riders in the world rankings taking part.

Ireland were runners-up in the opening leg in Abu Dhabi and set out to go one better in Ocala. That is exactly what Michael Blake’s team of Offaly’s Darragh Kenny with Amsterdam 27; Cork’s Shane Sweetnam with Otis Blue; Derry’s Daniel Coyle with Legacy; and Meath’s Cian O’Connor with Maurice, did – taking on some of the best horses and riders in the world in the process!