Splaine sticks with winning formula

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.

Dermott Lennon (Hallmark Elite) and Cian O’Connor (K Club Lady) jumped double clears in the Aachen victory and will be hoping for a repeat when they join Billy Twomey (Tinka’s Serenade), Denis Lynch (Nabab’s Son) and Shane Breen (Carmena Z) at the RDS.

The Ballsbridge event forms the final leg of the Meydan Series and, while Ireland are third in the rankings, Splaine is not taking anything for granted, with four of the 10 countries to be relegated.

“While we have really improved our position we are still not safe and there are five teams really under pressure and all of these countries will be fighting for their show jumping lives,” he said.

Ireland last won in Dublin in 2004, but any thoughts of lifting the Aga Khan must be put aside until after next Friday’s British Nations Cup in Hickstead.