THE Irish show jumping squad has been named for the Wellington four-star Nations Cup, which takes place at Palm Beach International Equestrian Centre in Florida, USA, next Friday, March 3rd, as part of the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Ireland are the defending champions after winning at the same venue 12 months ago and come into the competition in excellent form having won the Ocala Nations Cup just a week ago.

Team manager Michael Blake has named a six rider squad and will announce his four team members next week.

The Irish squad in alphabetical order is:

Derry's Daniel Coyle with Grafton, owned by Susan and Ariel Grange

Kilkenny’s Richie Moloney with Carrabis Z, owned by Equinimity LLC

Meath’s Cian O’Connor with Seringat, owned by Ronnoco Jump Ltd

Limerick's Paul O'Shea with Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu, owned by Skara Glen Stables, Whipstick Farm, P. Hurter & P. Agnew

Down's Conor Swail with Rubens LS La Silla, owned by Vanessa Mannix

Cork’s Shane Sweetman with Chaqui Z, owned by Shane Sweetnam & Spy Coast Farm LLC

Ireland will not be competing for Nations Cup points in Wellington as this is not part of the European Division 1 series.

Ireland’s first points-scoring opportunity in Europe Division 1 will be at La Baule, France, on May 12th , followed by Rome (May 24th-28th), Rotterdam (June 22nd-25th), Falsterbo (July 13th-16th), Hickstead (July 27th-30th), and Ireland’s home Nations Cup at the RDS in Dublin on August 9th-13th, where teams will compete for the Aga Khan trophy.