NATIONS CUP:FORMER IRISH Nations Cup rider Capt John Roche, director of showjumping for the Federation Equestre Internationale in Switzerland, is expecting a first class Aga Khan Nations' Cup competition today.
John, who competed himself in around 25 Nations' Cups thinks that Ireland "has a serious chance," despite strong competition expected from the in-form German, Great Britain and Netherlands teams.
Roche, who rode Lough Crew during the early 1980s, is director of the Samsung Superleague and is confident of a good result from the home side.
"I think Ireland can hold its own. Dublin is the second-last competition in the Superleague series before the Barcelona final on September 21st. It is relatively tight with Ireland on 16 and Sweden on 11, Ireland needs more points on Friday to ensure it isn't dropped for next year."
The team placed last in Barcelona on points will go out of the series. However, next season the three teams with the highest points on the Rolex rider rankings will be given a place in the Superleague.
Ireland has been drawn eighth to jump in the Nations' Cup which was great news for chef d'equipe Robert Splaine.
"We are looking forward to the challenge and have a strong, motivated team. We look forward to beating the Swedes, but we've got to beat the course builder."
Dutch course builder Rob Jansen has a strong track planned. "It is necessary to have a difficult course for Superleague. This is my first time in Dublin where the footing is excellent," he said.
Swedish chef d'equipe Ann Catrin Carlsson has fielded a strong squad. "We are going to give Ireland a good run for their money. We are used to being the underdogs; you never know what could happen in the end."
British chef d'equipe David Broome added: "We have quite a good team. It's always the Germans we look at. They have a stronger team here than they brought to Hickstead."