Irish Show Jumping team manager Michael Blake has named his four team members for today’s Longines FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain at Hickstead.

The event is Ireland’s third points-scoring round in Europe Division 1 and will be shown live on RTE 2 television.

RTE’s live coverage will run from 4pm to 6pm on RTE 2 & the RTE Player and will be presented by Ruby Walsh, with commentary provided by Brendan McArdle.

Ireland, sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange, have been drawn first to jump of seven teams and line-out as follows:

Meath’s Alexander Butler with Chilli B – owned by L.C.J. Berben

Galway’s Andrew Bourns with Sea Topblue (ISH) – owned by Andrew Bourns & QBS Equestrian LLC

Tipperary’s Shane Breen with Vistogrand – owned by Breen Equestrian

Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan with BBS McGregor (ISH) – owned by Marguerite Ryan

Ireland will be up against teams from Belgium, Sweden, France, Germany and Britain, while Brazil will also be among the starters but will not be competing for points.

Ireland are one of just two teams (along with France) who still have two opportunities to score points in the race to qualify for the 2022 FEI Nations Cup final in Barcelona.

Following Hickstead, Ireland’s last opportunity to gain points will be in their home Nations Cup at the Dublin Horse Show for the Aga Khan trophy, after which the top seven teams in Europe Division 1 will qualify for the Barcelona finale.