Show jumping manager Michael Blake has selected four of Ireland’s most talented horse and rider combinations as the team to compete in Friday’s Longines Nations Cup at la Baule, France.

Historically a winning venue for Ireland, La Baule will be one of three Division One team competitions where Blake has to decide on his Olympic selections for Tokyo. The other two will be at Sopot in Poland (June 18th) and Rotterdam in the Netherlands (July 2nd).

In France, meanwhile, Friday’s team will be:
Shane Sweetnam – Karlin Van’t Vennehof
Darragh Kenny – VDL Cartello
Bertram Allen – Pacino Amiro 
Cian O’Connor – Kilkenny

Ireland is up against seven other Division One teams – Belgium, France, Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden – as well as Brazil and Mexico.

Coverage of the Cup will be available on We Live Horse’s Facebook page from 1pm and throughout Friday afternoon, with livestream coverage available on subscription from FEItv.

Friday also sees Ireland line out in the Longines EEF Nations Cup Series at Uggerhaine in Denmark, where manager Taylor Vard has named his team as:
Michael Pender – HHS Calais
Jonathan Gordon – Dorotheental’s Classica
Capt. Geoff Curran – Glengarra Wood
Stephen Moore – Team De Coquerie

Ireland will be last of 12 teams to jump at Uggerhaine.

-Jack Burns