HORSE Sport Ireland show jumping chef d'equipe, Robert Splaine, today (Wednesday) announced the Nations Cup teams for the four-star Ocala Nations Cup, Florida and the five-star Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

Splaine said: "Abu Dhabi and Ocala present an excellent opportunity at this level for some new combinations and some relatively unexposed horses to gain valuable experience. This is a very important part of Horse Sport Ireland’s strategy to create strength and depth to the Irish team which has served us well over the years."

Named for the UAE event were: Marion Hughes riding Can Ya Makan Laith owned by Team Z7; Dermot Lennon riding Loughview Lou Lou (ISH) owned by Judith Sossick or Fleur-owned by Rebecca McGoldrick; Capt Brian Cournane riding Javas Keltic Mist (ISH) owned by Brian Cournane and Headley Stud; Anthony Condon riding Aristio owned by John Hales and Anthony Condon or Balzac, owned by Anthony Condon and Kat Taylor.

Meanwhile at Ocala, the Irish squad will include Kilkenny's Richie Moloney riding Ypaja Yando, owned by Equinimity LLC; Cork's Shane Sweetnam riding Eregast V'ant Kieselhoft, owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC; Co Clare's David Blake riding Binkie, owned by Pine Hollow Farm; Cian O’Connor riding Sam Du Challois, owned by Ronnoco Jump Ltd and Jean-Claude Jobin and Tipperary's Kevin Babington riding Mark Q (ISH), owned by Kevin Babington and Deirdre Bourns.