Irish Do Battle In Florida At Midnight

Ireland's show jumping team will enter the arena at Wellington in Florida shortly after midnight tonight to compete in their first Nations' Cup of 2014.

Facing strong opposition, Ireland will be hoping to be included in the eight teams that progress to the second round from a starting field of 12 nations taking part.

The $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, presented by G&C Farm, will see three teams - Canada, Mexico, and the host nation USA - eligible to win points in the North America, Central America and Caribbean League.

Irish team manager Robert Splaine said today: "While Ireland cannot accumulate points tonight towards qualification in the Furusiyya league final as we are in a different group, performance would augur well for the long season ahead.

"It's an opportunity for us to assess new combinations early in the season at this magnificent venue. Both Paul O'Shea and Cian O'Connor will be riding new horses at Nations' Cup level, while Shane Sweetnam and Richie Moloney will be riding horses that are relatively new to this level also."

Ireland will line out as follows:

Shane Sweetnam/Eregast Van'T Kiezelhof (Owner: Spy Coast Farm LLC ) Richie Moloney/Carrabis Z (Owner: Equinimity LLC) ) Paul O'Shea/Lilli (Owner: Georgina Bloomberg) Cian O'Connor/Quidam's Cherie (Owner: Adena Springs Stables)

Ireland has been drawn tenth to jump of the 12 nations taking part.