Splaine opts for two debutants in squad

IRELAND show jumping manager Robert Splaine has blended two debutants with three riders boasting vast experience in his nations cup squad for next week’s Dublin Horse Show.

Corkman Shane Sweetnam and Kildare’s Nicola FitzGibbon have yet to contest the competition for the Aga Khan Trophy, but they have been teamed up with stalwarts, world number three Billy Twomey, also from Cork, and Tipperary riders Denis Lynch and Shane Breen.

Dublin is the seventh leg of the FEI Nations Cup Series and, with Ireland lying second, the prospect of lifting league honours should spur on the Irish squad.

Announcing his selection at the Galway Races, Splaine said: “Though securing Olympic qualification at the European Championships in Madrid is our main target this year, to win the Aga Khan would be fantastic and the riders will be very focused,” he said.

Twomey, Lynch and Breen also feature next Friday in the British Nations Cup in Hickstead, where they are joined by Alexander Butler and Jennifer Crooks.

Meanwhile, ShowJumpingIreland (SJI) yesterday confirmed the A samples from at least eight horses have tested positive for prohibited substances in the past three months.

The majority of the tests are believed to have occurred in one area of Leinster.

Ronan Corrigan, the chairman of the SJI’s management and finance committee, said: “There have been approximately eight positive tests from A samples, since testing began at the beginning of May.

“The eight riders have been informed. Some of the B samples are being tested in Paris, while one has already proved negative.

“One of the substances is betamethasone, a corticoid and anti-inflammatory.

“The parties concerned are adamant they do not know how the substance came to be in their animals and the SJI is trying to ascertain what may be causing them to come back with traces of bethamethasone.”

Dublin squad: Shane Breen (Carmena Z), Nicola FitzGibbon (Puissance), Denis Lynch (All Inclusive NRW), Shane Sweetnam (Amaretto Darco), Billy Twomey (Tinka’s Serenade).

Hickstead squad: Shane Breen (Luikka), Alexander Butler (Will Wimble), Jennifer Crooks (SF Uryadi), Denis Lynch (Lord Luis or Nabab’s Son), Billy Twomey (Romanov or Je t’Aime Flame).