Leinster well represented by Cian O’Connor, Richie Moloney & Young Rider, Mikey Pender on Nations Cups Teams next week

08 Feb Leinster well represented by Cian O’Connor, Richie Moloney & Young Rider, Mikey Pender on Nations Cups Teams next week

Bronze Olympic Medalist Cian O’Connor

The Irish Show Jumping squads for next week’s Nations Cup competitions at Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates and at Ocala in Florida, USA have been named.

Al Ain is a five-star fixture with the Nations Cup competition taking place next Thursday February 16th.

The Irish squad for Al Ain in alphabetical order is:

Anthony Condon with Balzac, owned by Anthony Condon & Kat Taylor
Michael Duffy with Belcanto, owned by Alan Burnell
Paul Kennedy with Cartown Danger Mouse (ISH), owned by Jane Kennedy
Michael Pender with Can Ya Makan, owned by Team Z7
David Simpson with Chessy 17, owned by Elm Rock LLC

The Irish Chef d’Equipe in Al Ain will be Cameron Hanley who said:

“I’m really looking forward to been involved with the team in Al Ain, its a young team and a great opportunity for them to compete as a team at a five-star star level. Even though this will be more about gaining experience, they are all professionals and I expect them to be very competitive.”

Ireland will also be represented in the four-star Ocala Nations Cup in Florida a day later on Friday February 17th.

The Irish squad for Ocala in alphabetical order is:

Kevin Babington with Shorapur, owned by Shorapur LLC
Capt. Brian Cournane with Javas Celtic Mist (ISH), owned by Glenbeigh Farm LLC
Ritchie Moloney with Carrabis Z, owned by Equinimity
Cian O’Connor with Seringat, owned by Ronnoco Jump Ltd
Shane Sweetman with Chaqui Z, owned by Shane Sweetnam & Spy Coast Farm LLC

The Irish Chef d’Equipe for Ocala will be Michael Blake and he said:

“This is a very strong squad for the North American Nations Cup. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the owners that continue to make horses available to Team Ireland. I would encourage the many Irish people based in Florida to come out and support the Irish team next Friday.”

As Al Ain and Ocala are not part of the European Division 1 Nations Cup series, Ireland will not be competing for points at these venues. Ireland’s first points scoring opportunity in Europe Division 1 will be at La Baule, France in May. (HSI)