Irish Show Jumping team manager Rodrigo Pessoa today named his four team members who will compete in show jumping at the Olympic-qualifying World Equestrian Games in the USA next month.
The Irish four are:
Cian O’Connor – Good Luck
Darragh Kenny – Babalou 41
Paul O’Shea – Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu
Shane Sweetnam – Chaqui Z
Pessoa, who led Ireland to a European team gold medal for the first time in 16 years at the 2017 championships in Gothenburg, said today: “These are the four team members that will represent Ireland at the World Equestrian Games where we will be seeking the Olympic qualification that has eluded us for many years and a medal as well. I have faith in this team and we are ready to do battle with the best teams in the world.”
The Brazilian-born multi-medallist, who took over as Ireland’s team manager last year, will announce the fifth squad member closer to the event. At the World Equestrian Games, which this year take place at Tryon in North Carolina, the fifth member is a travelling reserve.
Ireland has not qualified a show jumping team at the last three Olympic Games, and has never won a team medal. Only Cian O’Connor has won an individual Olympic medal, taking Bronze at the 2012 London Olympics on Blue Loyd.
-Jack Burns
We Live Horse 