The show jumping team season comes to its conclusion this weekend when fifteen countries do battle in the annual FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona.

Cian O’Connor led a five-strong parade of Irish riders at the top of the leaderboard in the opening competition of the Dublin Horse Show yesterday.

Ireland show jumping manager Robert Splaine underwent surgery for a broken wrist this week, but Taylor Vard, his stand in for tomorrow’s Furusiyya Series nations cup in Ocala, Florida, is upbeat about sending him a nice get-well present.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has ruled out any chance of an extra place being created for Ireland in the show jumping competition at next year’s Games in Rio de Janeiro.