Though now qualified for the Barcelona final later this month, Ireland is still testing out new combinations in the promotional FEI Nations Cup league, and Chef d’Equipe Taylor Vard has today announced his team for the five-star event at Gijon on Saturday.
Ireland, drawn seventh of nine teams competing, will line out as follows:
Shane Breen – Ipswich Van De Wolfsakker
David Simpson – Keoki
Cameron Hanley – Quirex
Anthony Condon – Balzac
Vard said today: “We are planning for 2018 by giving the two eight-year-old horses a chance at this show (Quirex & Keoki).
“It will also be a first Nations Cup for Ipswich Van De Wolfsakker under Shane Breen’s care.
“This will be a big test with nine teams taking part but spirits are high after Ireland’s amazing win at the European Championships in Gothenburg last week.”
The other nations taking part at the Spanish venue are the Netherlands, France, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Mexico, Egypt and home nation Spain.
Livestream coverage will be available from 2:45pm Irish time at FEItv (by subscription) with Facebook and Twitter updates provided by We Live Horse.
Jack Burns
We Live Horse 