Lynch, O’Connor and Twomey in WEG squad

DENIS LYNCH, Cian O’Connor and Billy Twomey were yesterday named by Ireland show jumping manager Robert Splaine to be part of his squad for the Alltech World Equestrian Games, which begin next month.

Splaine will pick the remaining two members at a later date, choosing from those combinations that featured in squads selected for this year’s Meydan FEI Nations Cup Series. Last week, Splaine said his final selection could also be determined by performances in forthcoming Spanish shows at Gijon, Madrid and Barcelona, adding that “Calgary in Canada could also have a significance”.

German-based Tipperary man Lynch was yesterday nominated with either Nabab’s Son or Lantinus, while Cheshire-based Cork stalwart Twomey also has a choice, with both Tinka’s Serenade and Je t’Aime Flamenco more than capable. O’Connor has been named with Michael Smurfit’s exciting K Club Lady.

The three riders featured on the team that pulled off a sensational win in the German Nations Cup last month, with double clears coming O’Connor and Dermott Lennon, riding Hallmark Elite.

Lennon, however, and the gelding subsequently suffered a bad fall in the British equivalent at Hickstead and last week at Dublin Horse Show the pair looked to be still out of sorts in the battle for the Aga Khan Trophy.

Horse Sport Ireland yesterday also confirmed selections for the other disciplines at the games.

Dressage: Judy Reynolds (Remember).

Para-equestrian: James O’Dwyer (Orlando) and Eilish Byrne (Youri).

Reining: Ollie Galligan (Whizardre N Starlite).

Six riders were named in June for eventing, with five set to compete. They are: Mark Kyle (Step in Time), Elizabeth Power (Kilpatrick River), Michael Ryan (Ballylynch Adventure), Patricia Ryan (Fernhill Clover Mist), Camilla Spiers (Portersize Just a Jiff), Sam Watson (Horseware Bushman).