IRISH show jumping team manager Michael Blake has this evening named his four team members for tomorrow’s (Friday) Longines FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain at Hickstead, which is Ireland’s third points-scoring round in Europe Division 1 and will be shown live on RTE 2 television.

RTE’s live coverage from Hickstead will run from 4pm to 6pm on RTE 2 & the RTE Player and will be presented by Ruby Walsh who will be joined in studio by Nicola FitzGibbon and Lt Col Tom Freyne, with commentary provided by Brendan McArdle.

The competition starts at 2.15pm.

Ireland, sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange, have been drawn first to jump of seven teams and line-out as follows:

Meath’s Alexander Butler with Chilli B – owned by L.C.J. Berben

Galway’s Andrew Bourns with Sea Topblue (ISH) – owned by Andrew Bourns & QBS Equestrian LLC

Tipperary’s Shane Breen with Vistogrand – owned by Breen Equestrian

Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan with BBS McGregor (ISH) – owned by Marguerite Ryan

Ireland will be up against teams from Belgium, Sweden, France, Germany and Britain, while Brazil will also be among the starters but will not be competing for points.

Ireland began their 2022 Europe Division 1 campaign with a fourth place finish at Sopot in Poland and this was followed by a podium finish on their second outing when finishing third at Rotterdam in The Netherlands. Ireland are one of just two teams (along with France) who still have two opportunities to score points in the race to qualify for the 2022 FEI Nations Cup final in Barcelona.

Following Hickstead, Ireland’s last opportunity to gain points will be in their home Nations Cup at the Dublin Horse Show for the Aga Khan trophy, after which the top seven teams in Europe Division 1 will qualify for the Barcelona finale.

The Irish Show Jumping team is sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange.

Breeding details

Sea Topblue (ISH) – 2011 gelding by Chacco Blue (MECKL) out of Sea Top Lady (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeders: James & John Meade, Co. Clare. Owned by Andrew Bourns & QBS Equestrian LLC

BBS McGregor (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Cardento (HOLST) out of Random Chance (ISH) by Mark Twain (TB). Breeder and Owner: Marguerite Ryan, Co. Kilkenny. Rider: Jack Ryan (IRL).

Source: Horse Sport Ireland press release.