Ireland look to seal nations cup final place

This Friday sees the Irish senior show jumping team in action at Hickstead for what will be their last competitive nations cup engagement before Dublin Horse Show. 

The English fixture is important, being a league qualifier, and if Ireland do well enough, and secure their place in the annual nations cup final in Barcelona, they can come to Dublin with a certain amount of pressure off their backs.

Not that the pressure is particularly heavy — it would be a major surprise if Ireland don’t make the final. The third place finish in the last outing in Sweden two weeks ago put manager Rodrigo Pessoa’s team within touching distance of the points required. Another third place at Hickstead would clinch it, and it might not even require that much, depending on how their rivals fare.