Cian O'CONNOR (IRL) riding Good Luck during the First Qualifying Competition for the European Team Jumping competition at the FEI European Championships in Aachen, Germany on 19 August 2015
The Irish squad will do “everything in our power” to bring home a medal from the European Showjumping Championships in Gothenburg (23-27 August).
Team manager Rodrigo Pessoa has named his four combinations and reserve for the championships, his first major competition since he took the job in March.
The team, sponsored by Devenish and The Underwriting Exchange, is:
Bertram Allen with Noel Delahunty/Connaught Bloodstock’s Hector Van D’Abdijhoeve
Cian O’Connor with Adena Springs and Ronnoco Jump Ltd’s Good Luck
Denis Lynch with his own and Thomas Straumann’s All Star 5
Shane Sweetnam with his own and Spy Coast Farm’s Chaqui Z
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The reserve is Mark McAuley with Eva Lundin’s Miebello
Rodrigo said he believes his riders are ready to challenge for a medal.
“As of today, I think this is the best team that Ireland has to offer,” he said.
“In the view of Horse Sport Ireland’s high performance jumping committee and on paper, this is a team that has the potential to fight for a team medal and maybe an individual medal as well.
“Since the beginning of the year, we have tried to instil with our riders transparency and good communication. I hope the riders and owners all appreciate that. Now, for the next few weeks, our goal is to keep the horses healthy and to get ready for our first big championships together.”
Rodrigo thanked all the owners involved in this year’s Nations Cup series, adding: “They have made their horses available and we really appreciate that.
“Myself and the entire team and backroom staff will do everything in our power to bring back a medal. We will face tough competition, but we are ready.”
Don’t miss the 17 August edition of H&H for a full European Championships preview.
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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
