Dutch courage as Ireland bid to continue in top Nations Cup form

Blake sticks with La Baule blend of experience and emerging talent for Longines League of Nations third leg in Rotterdam

The Irish Senior Show Jumping team bid to cement themselves at as the number one team in the Longines League of Nations in Rotterdam tomorrow as the world’s biggest team jumping series rolls into The Netherlands.

After two legs, Michael Blake’s Ireland team currently sit atop the standings, alongside Germany, having won the opening heat in Abu Dhabi and finishing fourth in Ocala, Florida, and arrive here in confident mood.

Over the course of five brilliant days, Ireland won the four-star Nations Cup in Langley, Canada, before following up with a five-star success in La Baule.

Blake’s team, fresh from that dominant Langley win, were ruthless in France, finishing on a perfect zero score under immense pressure to continue their sparkling run of form.

It was a blend experience and emerging talent in La Baule as Cian O’Connor and Bertram Allen were joined by young guns Seamus Hughes Kennedy and Tom Wachman, with all four contributing clear rounds to the win.

That same quartet lines up in Rotterdam tomorrow (Friday), with just one equine switch to the line-up. Cian O’Connor will jump Iron Man instead of Bentley De Sury, while Bertram Allen and Qonquest De Rigo, Seamus Hughes Kennedy with ESI Rocky, and Tom Wachman with Tabasco De Toxandria Z all remain.

Tried and trusted selections, in with winning form – everything looks set up for another bold showing from the team in green, but Blake is conscious of what is lining up in Rotterdam. Such is the prestige of the Longines League of Nations, there are always the world’s best riders, from the top 10 teams in the world, jumping in opposition.

Blake said: “It is the Longines League of Nations, and every leg brings out the world’s best – but this leg really does look strong. You look at the standings, with the likes of the Dutch, Sweden and Switzerland all really needing a big result here.

“At home, you would expect a strong team from The Netherlands but this team is particularly strong – as are most of the nations lining up. So, while we are in excellent form, we know that we will need to bring that form to the table here if we are to keep winning.

“All four of our riders were brilliant in La Baule and, as I said then after that win, we have blended experience in Cian and Bertram with emerging talents Tom and Seamus. There is a great team dynamic between all four and I am very happy with what we have got here in Rotterdam.”

Just the Irish and Germany were involved in a jumping order draw this afternoon, as order is determined by the position of each team in the league standings. Level at the top with the Germans, a two-team draw was required, with Ireland drawing slot nine of 10 for tomorrow’s competition.

The action begins in Rotterdam at 3.30pm Irish time, will be broadcast live on Clip My Horse TV, and Horse Sport Ireland will keep Irish fans updated throughout the event on its social media channels.

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