Ireland has been drawn fourth to jump of 15 teams taking part in Friday night’s first round of the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, Spain.

The draw was conducted tonight by CSIO Barcelona Show Director Daniel Garcia Giró and FEI Jumping Director John Roche, and the nations will start in the following order:

1) Germany
2) Spain
3) Austria
4) Ireland
5) Great Britain
6) Italy
7) Sweden
8) Belgium
9) Brazil
10) USA
11) Canada
12) Netherlands
13) France
14) Switzerland
15) UAE

Friday night’s first-round action begins at 20.00 hours Irish time, Saturday’s Challenge Cup for the teams that finish below eighth place begins at 21.00, and the second round that will decide the fate of the 2018 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup title is scheduled for 15.00 on Sunday.

Billy Twomey and Kimba Flamenco will be first to line out for Ireland, with the rest of the team selected as follows by Irish Chef d’Equipe Rodrigo Pessoa:

Anthony Condon – SFS Aristio
Shane Breen – Ipswich van de Wolfsakker
Darragh Kenny – Balou du Reventon

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-Jack Burns