WHEN in Rome do as the Romans do’...that old proverb certainly rang true for senior Irish show jumping chef d’équipe Michael Blake’s gladiator team of Mikey Pender, Denis Lynch, Michael G. Duffy and Jack Ryan who captured the prestigious FEI Longines Nations Cup of Rome in breathtaking style.

After nearly a century - some 97 years - of hard luck at the showcase Italian venue for successive Irish teams, finally it went our way last weekend. There’s always a mountain to climb in Rome and this outing proved no different with challenges aplenty.

However, three magical clear rounds from Mikey Pender (23) and HHS Calais in Rome sealed the deal and carried off the Cup for Team Ireland. The top ranks of the show jumping world truly sat up and took note of that stunning performance from the young Co Kildare rider, mounted on a charge bred by the late Ita Brennan (12yo Irish Sport Horse bay gelding by Cavalier Royale out of MHS OBOS Cruise x OBOS Quality), and backed up, as always, by the ultra supportive owners Marion Hughes and Miquel Bravo and their entire home team.

Many congratulations to one and all - it’s a real feather in the cap to rule at Rome, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious venues on the Nations Cup circuit. (See pages 88-89).

International events

The Irish equestrian circuit is absolutely buzzing this June bank holiday weekend with Millstreet International Horse Trials and Mullingar International Horse Show CSI2* taking place. We look forward to bringing you top coverage of the action from both venues in next week’s paper. Our sport is flying, between international events on our shores down to the grassroots Riding Club movement, where entries are up 20pc for next weekend’s AIRC Riding Club Festival at Mullingar.