The opening Longines FEI Nations Cup of the 2020 season saw Ireland take sixth place at Deeridge in Wellington Florida.

Ireland were in a share of the lead with Britain at the halfway stage, with Kerry’s Capt Brian Cournane with Armik and Limerick’s Paul O’Shea with Imerald Van’t Voorhof jumping clear.

Cian O’Connor came home with eight faults with his new mount Lazzaro Delle Schiave. Offaly’s Darragh Kenny was last to go for the Irish with Romeo and finished with four faults picked up at the second last fence. That left Ireland on a first round total of four faults along with Britain, while three more teams were within a fence of the leaders.

The second round saw Cournane and O’Shea collect eight faults apiece while Cian O’Connor and Darragh Kenny added four faults each. This saw Ireland slip down the leader board to finish sixth of the eight teams on a two round total of 20 faults.

“We got off to a very good start with two early clear rounds for Brian Cournane and Paul O’Shea and things were looking very good for us at the halfway stage,” commented Irish team manager Michael Blake.

“We made a few mistakes in the second round and things didn’t go our way but these things happen when you are trying out some new horses who don’t have a lot of Nations Cup experience. It’s a long season ahead and it’s all about building our pool of horses and riders.”

FEI jumping director John Roche to retire

John Roche, FEI jumping director will retire at the end of this month. Wexford native Roche has played a key role in equestrian sport’s global governing body since first joining the federation in May 1987.

Captain Roche served in the Irish Army Equitation School and represented his country on the international Jumping circuit.

He was promoted to the position of FEI jumping director when it was created in 2007, and also held the titles of FEI Jumping World Cup and FEI Jumping Nations Cup director and director general of stewarding.

Captain Roche will be an FEI guest at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and a special presentation will be made to him at the FEI Awards gala dinner during the FEI General Assembly in Johannesburg in November 2020.

Young Breeder Training

Young breeder training with Teagasc and Horse Sport Ireland recommences on Sunday, 23 February at the Showjumpers Club Spring Tour in Cavan Equestrian Centre.

There will be discussion on athleticism traits of the horses and identifying horses to follow for the season. All young people aged 14-30 are welcome to attend.

Spaces are limited, book online at teagasc.clearbookings.com.

Sponsorship boost for Olympic Eventers

After the huge success of the Take On Tokyo events to raise funds for the Irish eventing team on the road to Tokyo, there was more great news last week as Chivers was announced as a new sponsor.

At the announcement, Bill O’Sullivan, CFO of Boyne Valley Group said: “We look forward to supporting the riders and with a bit of luck we will be celebrating at the Olympics.”