HORSE Sport Ireland Show Jumping High Performance Manager Michael Blake has named his team for the first four-star FEI Longines Nations Cup of 2023, taking place in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates tomorrow (Sunday, February 5th) at Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

The Irish team, sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange, will be as follows:

1. Michael Duffy riding Cinca 3, owned by Hibernian Sport Horses Ltd

2. Jessica Burke riding Nikey HH, owned by Liam Nicholas

3. Shane Breen riding Cuick Star Kervec, owned by Breen Equestrian Ltd & Quirke Sport Horses Ltd

4. Trevor Breen riding Germaine W, owned by Mandy Hall

Speaking about the team announcement, Blake said: “We are looking forward to a good performance on Sunday. We have the same team as we had in Abu Dhabi and these combinations are gaining valuable experience at this level. It is still early in the year and we are grateful to our owners and riders for making the horses available to us. Irish riders really prioritise nations cups and this puts us in very strong position going forward.”

Ireland have drawn last to go out of eight teams competing, Egypt will be first to go. Britain, who finished second in the opening five-star FEI Longines Nations Cup in Abu Dhabi, have been drawn seventh to go.

The Nations Cup will take place tomorrow (Sunday, February 5th) at 12:30pm.

(Follow Horse Sport Ireland social media channels for live results and updates).

The Irish Show Jumping team is sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange

Charles Ancona – Official athlete clothing supplier to HSI’s Senior Olympic programmes

Source: Horse Sport Ireland press release.