Irish show jumping team back in Samsung Super League

The governing body for horse sport, International Equestrian Federation, has today confirmed that Ireland will be promoted to show jumping’s Samsung Super League in 2008.

The Samsung Super League is for the top eight show jumping nations in the world. The Irish team replaces France, which has been demoted to compete in only the nations cup series, after finishing bottom in Super League rankings for this year.

The Irish show jumpers were relegated from the elite league at the end of 2006, but their success in the FEI nations cup series this year has secured their return. Ireland currently tops the nations cup table and, although one event in Buenos Aires remains, its position cannot be threatened by closest rivals Denmark and Italy.

Early wins in the nations cup series establish Ireland as the early leader, a position that was unassailable throughout the year.

Irish team manager Robert Splaine hopes to establish a better position in the Super League in 2008 than in 2006, when the team struggled to avoid relegation.

“We are stronger and more determined after having to fight our way back to the top,” he said. “But the Super League is where we want to be, even though it is very tough, and I know we will have a challenging year ahead.”

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