Splaine Names Team For Five Star Nations Cup At Lummen

Irish show jumping manager Robert Splaine today (Thursday) announced his team for tomorrow's five-star Nations' Cup at Lummen, where Ireland are drawn first to jump of eight teams.

Ireland will line out at the Belgian show as follows:

Thomas Ryan/Caribo
Bertram Allen/Molly Malone V
Mark McAuley/Isco De Amoranda
Billy twomey/Diaghilev

Splaine said today after announcing his team: "While Lummen is not a point-scoring Cup for us in the Furusiyya league it will nevertheless be a great opportunity to expose our combinations to the highest level of team jumping. Diaghilev and Billy Twomey have already had some experience at this level, but the combination has also been selected for our points-scoring Nations' Cup at La Baule in two weeks' time, so need the run.

"Mark McAuley and Bertram Allen and their horses will be having their first Nations' Cup appearance at five-star level and Thomas Ryan's Caribo will also be having its first outing at this grade. Lummen will be of benefit to me with the future in mind, and Mark and Thomas have already won two of today's three classes, so that has been a good boost to team spirit."

Lummen Nations' Cup starts at 3pm Irish time on Friday.

Under the new rules introduced in 2013, the world's top show jumping nations may compete in eight venues but will only be able to gain points in four.

For Ireland these will be La Baule, France (May 15-18), Rotterdam, Holland (18-22 June), Hickstead, Britain (31 July-3 August) and Dublin Horse Show (6-10 August).