SHOW jumper Cian O’Connor is not short of confidence, but he is sure it is well placed in expecting a good outcome for Ireland in today’s nations cup at the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

SHOW jumper Dermott Lennon yesterday demonstrated in style that he and Hallmark Elite were suffering no ill-effects from their travails at last week’s Hickstead.

HAVING won the German Nations Cup two weeks ago, Ireland’s show jumpers were given a reality check yesterday, when they finished a disappointing sixth in the British equivalent at Hickstead.

THE Irish show jumping squad that recently won the German Nations Cup has been selected by manager Robert Splaine for next week’s Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

“SATISFACTORY” is how Ireland show jumping manager Robert Splaine described his team’s sixth place in yesterday’s Meydan FEI Nations Cup opener in La Baule, France.

IRELAND show jumping manager Robert Splaine says the coming outdoor season will be “tough”, as he tries to balance the demands put on resources by the Meydan FEI Nations Cup Series and September’s Alltech World Equestrian Games.

CORK eventing rider Patricia Ryan was yesterday named on the team for the European Championships, which begin today in Fontainebleau, France, while her husband Michael will contest as an individual.

IT WAS a case of out but not down for Italy yesterday, when the already-relegated Mediterraneans won the €200,000 nations cup at the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

IRELAND’S show jumpers fulfilled the promise they proffered all season by winning the Meydan Swedish Nations Cup in Falsterbo yesterday.

DENIS LYNCH is adamant Ireland can avoid relegation from the Meydan Nations Cup Series.

IRELAND’S show jumpers did enough yesterday to move from the bottom of the Meydan Series, when fifth in the Dutch nations cup at Rotterdam.

IRELAND’S show jumpers put in a battling performance to finish third in the nations cup at Lummen, Belgium, yesterday, despite elimination for pathfinder Cian O’Connor and Splendor.