IRISH show jumping team manager Michael Blake has revealed his squad for this Friday’s Longines FEI Nations Cup of The Netherlands in Rotterdam, which is Ireland’s second points-scoring round in Europe’s top division.

Live on RTE 2

The competition will be shown live on RTE 2 television on Friday afternoon, with the two-hour programme starting at 5pm presented by Ruby Walsh, who will be joined in studio by Nicola FitzGibbon while commentary will be provided by Hugh Cahill and Brendan McArdle.

The Irish squad, sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange, for the Longines FEI Nations Cup of The Netherlands is:

Tipperary’s Trevor Breen with Highland President – owned by Heather Black

Derry’s Daniel Coyle with Legacy – owned by Ariel Grange & Daniel Coyle

Tipperary’s Denis Lynch with Cristello – owned by Onyx Consulting Ltd or Brooklyn Heights – owned by Molly Ohrstrom

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

Cork’s Shane Sweetnam with James Kann Cruz (ISH) – owned by Gizmo Partners

Ireland will be up against teams from The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Sweden and Britain. Italy will also be among the starters but as a non-Division 1 team are not eligible for league points.

Ireland’s show jumping teams have been in superb form so far in 2022 having won four Nations Cup competitions across three continents – in Abu Dhabi (UAE), Florida (USA), Langley (CAN) and Lisbon (POR).

Ireland’s first points-scoring round in Europe Division 1 saw them collect 70 league points following a fourth place finish at Sopot in Poland. Following the Longines FEI Nations Cup of The Netherlands, Ireland will have two remaining opportunities to score points, at Hickstead (GBR) on July 29th and Ireland’s home Nations Cup for the Aga Khan Trophy at the Dublin Horse Show on Friday August 19th – both of which will be shown live on RTE television.

The 2022 Longines FEI Nations Cup World Final will be held once again this year in Barcelona, Spain at the end of September.

Breeding details

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).

James Kann Cruz (ISH) by Kannan (KWPN) out of CSF Telly Cruz (ISH) by Cruising(ISH) [TIH] Breeder: Patrick Connolly. Owner Gizmo Partners.

The Irish Show Jumping team is sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange

Equiline – Official athlete clothing supplier of Horse Sport Ireland

Source: Horse Sport Ireland press release