IRISH show jumping team manager Rodrigo Pessoa has named his four team members and reserve rider, for the Longines FEI European Show Jumping Championships which take place at Gothenburg in Sweden from August 23rd to 27th, 2017.

The Irish team, sponsored by Devenish and The Underwriting Exchange, for the 2017 European Championships is as follows:

Bertram Allen with Hector Van D’Abdijhoeve – owned by Noel Delahunty/Connaught Bloodstock

Cian O’Connor with Good Luck – owned by Adena Springs & Ronnoco Jump Ltd

Denis Lynch with All Star 5 – owned by Thomas Straumann & Denis Lynch

Shane Sweetnam with Chaqui Z – owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC & Shane Sweetnam

Ireland’s reserve rider will be Mark McAuley with Miebello – owned by Eva Lundin

On announcing his team for his first major championships since taking up the role as Irish team manager back in March, Rodrigo Pessoa acknowledged the role played by owners in supporting the Irish team and believes his team are ready to challenge for a medal.

“As of today, I think this is the best team that Ireland has to offer. In the view of Horse Sport Ireland’s High-Performance jumping committee and on paper, this is a team that has the potential to fight for a team medal and maybe an individual medal as well. Since the beginning of the year, we have tried to instill with our group of riders, transparency and good communication. I hope the riders and owners all appreciate that. Now, for the next few weeks, our goal is to keep the horses healthy and to get ready for our first big Championships together.”

Pessoa added: “Also at this time, I would like to thank all the owners involved in this years Nations Cup program. They have made their horses available and we really appreciate that. Myself and the entire team and backroom staff will do everything in our power to bring back a medal. We will face tough competition but we are ready.”

The Longines FEI European Show Jumping Championships take place at Gothenburg’s 40,000 seater Ullevi Stadium, which has in the past hosted World and European Championships in athletics, international football events, speedway championships and concerts.

The European Show Jumping Championships take place every two years, with the 2017 Championships beginning on Wednesday August 23rd with the first individual competition. This is followed by the first round of the team competition on Thursday 24th, before the European Championship team medals are decided after the second team round on Friday August 25th. The final individual medal competition takes place on Sunday August 27th.