Riding Electric Cruise, Murphy is joined on the Irish team by Sam Watson and Horseware Bushman, Sarah Ennis and Sugar Brown Babe and Camilla Speirs with Portersize Just a Jif.

“It’s great to be picked on an Irish team competing on home soil,” remarked Murphy.

“As individuals, we have all won big classes at Ballindenisk so we know how to run there.”

With stiff opposition expected from the French and British teams, Murphy said the home venue would suit the Irish horses.

“The track might not suit the French and their open style of riding. We have to adjust our style of riding when we go over there so now they’ll have to adjust to some very Irish-type fences, with banks and ditches and poles in funny places. That’s all going to take its toll,” he maintained.

Meanwhile, pony high performance manager Keith Griffin announced the pony team for the Nations Cup at Fontainebleau next week (April 17th-20th).

It consists of Jessica Kuehnle with Gold Digger Douglas, Sean Monaghan and Attyrory Rebel, Hannah O'Shea with More Clover, Michael Pender with Doon Laddie and Jack Ryan with Ardglass Lady.

Some 20 underage riders will compete at Fontainebleau on 38 ponies.

“This is the most exciting year for us in the ponies with the European Pony Championships in all three disciplines taking place in Millstreet,” said Griffin. “Twenty-five years ago the same thing happened and the gold medal was won by a guy called Cameron Hanley.”