THE incredible contribution made by all of Ireland’s horse owners and supporters to the Irish show jumping team was celebrated last night (Wednesday), at a special reception held at Trelawny Farms, Wellington, Florida, in the USA.

Speaking at the reception, Horse Sport Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy thanked all of Team Ireland’s horse owners and supporters for their “incredible support” and thanked all those working behind the scenes for their massive contribution to Ireland’s success. He also reflected on what was an fantastic year for Ireland in 2019 when they secured Olympic qualification along with medal winning success for Ireland’s youth athletes at European Championship level.

CEO Ronan Murphy also said: “Along with all our fantastic owners and supporters I want to also thank our senior show jumping team sponsors, Devenish and the Underwriting Exchange, and our official clothing supplier Equiline, and all Team Ireland Sponsors, Berney Brothers, Charles Owen, Dubarry Ireland, Horseware and TRM.”

A special presentation was made to Ann Thompson, owner of several of Darragh Kenny’s top horses, for her outstanding contribution to Irish show jumping.

Blake names team

During the reception, Irish development team manager Michael Blake named his team for this Saturday’s four-star Nations Cup which takes place in Florida at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

The Irish team, sponsored by Devenish and The Underwriting Exchange, is:

Clare’s David Blake with Keoki, owned by David Blake, Gwendolyn Dvorkin and Pine Hollow Farm

Offaly’s Darragh Kenny with Go Easy De Muze, owned by Whiterock Farm Ltd and Darragh Kenny

Limerick’s Paul O’Shea with Skara Glen’s Chancelloress, owned by Gerry Hayden, Michael Hayden, QBS Equestrian LLC and Skara Glen Stables

Cork’s Billy Twomey with Lady Lou, owned by Sue Davis and Billy Twomey

Last to jump

Ireland finished as runners-up in the Wellington Nations Cup for the second year in-a-row in 2019 and this year have been drawn last to jump on a list of nine teams that includes Mexico, Chile, Australia, Israel, Colombia, Brazil, USA, Canada and Ireland.

Irish Show Jumping team manager Michael Blake said he and his team are really looking forward to this weekend’s Nations Cup in Florida and said the owners reception was a real success:

“It was a very enjoyable evening in a beautiful setting. We are indebted to our owners here in the United States and indeed all over the world. Because of their support, Irish riders are succeeding at the very top of our sport worldwide. It was great to see such a large number of people at the reception, once again showing the depth of the Irish equestrian community in Wellington, Florida. It was particularly nice to see Denis Quinlan, Jimmy Doyle and Michael Stone attend as these were the people who started all this many years ago. I would like to express our gratitude to our hosts for the evening Cara and Niall Carey of Trelawny Farms for their wonderful hospitality and to Horse Sport Ireland for their continued support.”

The Wellington Nations Cup in Florida gets underway at 12 midnight Irish time this Saturday.

Source: Horse Sport Ireland press release

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

Equiline – Official athlete clothing supplier of Team Ireland Equestrian.