Splaine predicts ‘tough’ season

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.

This year’s Meydan Series brings extra pressure, as four of the 10 teams will be relegated. This is because, in 2011, the series is being reduced to eight nations, while a further two teams will be replaced by two promoted from the second tier series.

On top of that, Splaine is conscious of the need to field our strongest team at the Alltech World Equestrian Games in Kentucky if Ireland is to achieve its goal of qualifying for the London 2012 Olympics.