IRISH NATIONS' CUP TEAM CONFIRMED FOR SPANISH CLASH

CHEF d'Equipe Paraic Geraghty this evening (Friday) confirmed the riders and horses who will jump for Ireland tomorrow (Saturday) in the Spanish Nations' Cup at Gijon.

Drawn fifth to jump of ten teams competing, Ireland will line out as:
Dermott Lennon: Hallmark Elite
Jessica Kurten; Castle Forbes La Vie Du Fraigneau
Billy Twomey; Blue Thunder
Conor Swail; Gold Digger

The Nations' Cup, which is not part of the Meydan Series, is expected to start at 2pm Irish time.

Meanwhile, Cork-born Twomey added to his haul of Spanish treasure when he once again took top five prize money in tonight's speed class at Gijon. The 32 year-old rider, who has already had a win and a third place at the five-star show, today steered 'Ceasar' into fifth, with team-mate Jessica Kurten finishing in eighth on 'Castle Forbes Vivaldo Van Het Costersveld'.

The class was won by Spain's Rutherford Latham, who established what proved to be an unassailable time with 'Jaina de Barnevil', ending up three seconds clear of Dutch runner-up Leon Thijssen.

SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSIO5* GIJON SPAIN JULY 29 - AUGUST 3 2009

International Jumping Competition
Table C. Article 239
1m40
Friday 31st July 2009

1) JAINA DE BARNEVIL; RUTHERFORD LATHAM (ESP) Time 61.28
2) TROY; LEON THIJSSEN (NED) Time 64.18
3) COMMISSARIO; JULIEN EPAILLARD (FRA) Time 64.70

5) CEASAR; BILLY TWOMEY (IRL) Time 66.56
8) CASTLE FORBES VIVALDO VAN HET COSTERSVELD; JESSICA KURTEN (IRL) Time 69.57

47 starters