Sweetnam Named as Show Jumpings First Reserve

20 Jul 2012


Team Ireland Show Jumping Manager Robert Splaine confirmed that Shane Sweetnam and Amaretto Darco have been nominated to the Olympic Council of Ireland as First Reserve for Olympic Show Jumping this year.


Thirty year-old Sweetnam, from Cork, has been a regular member of Ireland's Nations' Cup teams over the last two years, and with Spy Coast Farm's stallion Amaretto Darco has had notable successes on both the European and American circuits.


Based in Wellington Florida, Sweetnam will act as First Reserve to Ireland's two nominated individual Olympic show jumpers, Billy Twomey and Cian O'Connor.

 

 


Splaine Names Team for Hickstead Nations Cup

Team Ireland Show Jumping Manager Robert Splaine today (Thursday) named his team for the Hickstead Nations Cup, which features the world's eight best show jumping nations in a two-round contest.


Ireland has been drawn fourth to jump, and the team will line out as:

  • Shane Breen/Cos I Can (ISH)
  • Richie Moloney/Ahorn van de Zuuthoeve
  • Darragh Kerins/Lisona (ISH)
  • Clem McMahon/Pacino


Splaine has drafted in two US-based Irish riders, Moloney and Kerins, for what is the last in the Superleague series before the final in Dublin next month.


Shane Breen earlier today won the 1m45 speed competition at Hickstead aboard Ominerale Courcelle, while McMahon was second with Point Two Elvis in a field that saw 71 starters. Breen was also runner-up in today's Two Phase competition with the stallion Balloon, losing out by French star Penelope Leprevost and Oscar des Fontaines by half a second.


In Fontainebleau, France, meanwhile, Team Manager Tom Slattery has announced his Pony European Championship show jumping team as Darragh Ryan, Paraic Kenny, Molly O'Shea and Tom Foley, with Ireland drawn second to jump out of 11 nations on Friday. Kenny took the laurels in today's Individual Qualifying competition with Grey Ross.


Ireland's European Pony Eventers have begun the dressage phase of their competition, which continues on Friday. The team is Cathal Daniels, Lucy Latta, Gavin Smiddy and Ana O'Brien, with Kirsty Connell and Susie Berry competing as individuals.