Splaine opts for relative novices in Nations Cup squad

IRELAND can win the FEI Nations Cup Series at next week’s final leg in Rotterdam, but manager Robert Splaine has opted for a squad that shows his main focus remains next month’s European Championships.

Billy Twomey (Je t’Aime Flamenco or Tinka’s Serenade) and Denis Lynch (Lantinus or Nabab’s Son) form the backbone of the five-man squad. Shane Breen (Carmena Z, Luika, or Cos I Can) is again nominated, having made the squad for the recent Dublin Horse Show, only to lose out to Nicola FitzGibbon in the four-rider team selection. The Kildare-based woman belied her inexperience with a strong performance and Splaine has again opted to cast his eye over relative novices for next Friday’s Dutch fixture, giving the nod to Niall Talbot (Nicos De La Cense) and Alexander Butler (Will Wimble).

Butler is not without form, shaving won the accumulator class at Dublin and finishing the highest Irish rider in the grand prix when sixth. However, the pairing fell foul of the water in their Nations Cup Series debut in Switzerland in June.