Ireland will not be sending a show jumping team to the Finals of
the Samsung Nations Cup at Donaueschingen, Germany, on 22-25 August.
Because of the proximity of the World Equestrian Games (September
17-22), it has been decided instead to send teams to the Nations
Cup shows at Gijon, Spain (August 24-September 1), Rotterdam, Netherlands
(August 29 - September 1), and Calgary, Canada (September 4-8).
EFI Secretary-General, Ned Campion, said today: < Our primary
objective is not the Samsung Nations Cup Final, but the World Equestrian
Games in Jerez, beginning on September 17. This is the vital show
for Ireland, as it is so essential to qualification of riders and
horses for the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
<We are also concerned at accumulating as many Nations Cup points
as possible, with a view to qualifying for the Nations Cup Superleague
next season, so that is why in the month ahead we will be sending
teams to four-star Nations Cup competitions. As a nation we must
achieve the best possible profile in this area.>
.
