IRELAND ONCE more goes into battle to ensure the country's place in the Samsung Super League today (Friday June 20), competing against eight other teams in the Nations Cup of Germany.

With the USA as a wild card entry, the Irish will really have to be concerned with only the three other teams fighting for supremacy at the top end of the league - Germany, Gt. Britain, and current Super League leaders France.

Ireland currently lies in second place after a spectacular victory at St. Gallen, Switzerland, at the beginning of the month.

This is the halfway stage of the Super League, and Aachen arguably its most prestigious venue, with a budget of 8.5m Euro being poured into the show.

The Irish team picked to jump at Aachen today by Chef d'Equipe Tommy Wade is:
Robert Splaine; Coolcorron Cool Diamond
Peter Charles; Pershing
Billy Twomey; Luidam
Kevin Babington; Carling King

Trevor Coyle is Reserve. Ireland's Cian O'Connor, originally selected for the Aachen competition, had to withdraw due to an injury to his top horse <Waterford Crystal>.

The Samsung Super League consists of the eight most prestigious horse shows at which the world’s eight best national teams compare their merit. The Super League is connected to the Samsung Nations Cup Series through a promotion/relegation system at the end of each season.

SUPER LEAGUE STANDINGS BEFORE AACHEN:

1. France - 27 points
2. Ireland - 20.5 points
3. Great Britain - 15 points
4. Germany - 13.5 points
5. Sweden - 7 points
6. Belgium - 6 points
7. Italy - 5 points
8. Holland - 3.5 points.

The second round of the Super League at Aachen commences at 2.15 pm Irish time.

http://www.horsesport.ie

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