Sixth for Ireland in opening leg of 2026 Longines League of Nations, Abu Dhabi

Ireland’s High Performance Show Jumping Manager Jessica Kurten was satisfied with her team’s performance at the Longines League of Nations in Abu Dhabi this evening but feels there is improvement needed after a sixth-place finish.

Having been well positioned for a repeat of their 2025 win here in the opening leg of the prestigious series on a flawless zero score at the break, things slightly unravelled in round two as the Irish team of Trevor and Shane Breen, Niamh McEvoy and Mikey Pender finished on a total of 20 faults.

Kurten described her pride in her team, particularly in round one, and will take plenty of positives despite the final tally.

She said: “The Longines League of Nations today was like many we’ve seen over the years and I was proud of, and delighted with, Niamh and Olympic GL FVD, who gave an excellent performance to jump clear on their five star team debut.

“Shane was also very solid in round one with a great clear on BP Arctic Blue, while Trevor and Highland President did what they do in these competitions. They were brilliant.

“We decided not to use Mikey to save his horse to be fresh for the second round after those three clears, but I’ve been involved in these competitions now for so long on commentary that I’m more than aware that the first round is only a qualifier for the second round.

“Going in on a zero score was obviously an advantage, but so much changes in the second round that you should never get too excited.

“All-in-all I was very happy with the performance of the riders, but not too excited about the result. Highland President was very tired in the second round and Trevor felt that he overcompensated for that and it may have caused the two mistakes.

“Shane’s horse is very young at this level – first time around he jumped very easily but had two green mistakes in the second round. We’re going to see a lot more of him in the future when he gets more experience and Shane was delighted with the performance of his horse.

“Mikey went in and gave it a great try with HHS Los Angeles and I really believe if we’d been in a winning position, he would’ve jumped clear. It’s quite difficult going in there in a situation where you know that you’re a little bit down the leaderboard and trying to produce that clear round but I was very happy with Mikey and his performance. I felt HHS Los Angeles jumped very well, even with one pole down.

“We finished sixth overall, which is a safe result in the League of Nations series, but we need to improve in Ocala. We will be debriefing after this together and taking lots of positives, as well as discussing the negatives, and will aim to iron them out for the next leg.

It was a baptism of fire for Ireland’s new manager, with a League of Nations leg so early into her tenure, but Kurten is excited to be back in the fold.

“It was a thrill for me to be part of the Irish team again, especially in the League of Nations series, which proves to be so exciting with the three scores counting in the second round. It wasn’t the result we wanted but we will lick our woods and it’s onwards and upwards.”

Trevor Breen and Highland President were a standout combination of global Nations Cup competition in 2025, maintaining a 100 per cent clear rate in team competition with three double clear efforts – including in last year’s win here in Abu Dhabi.

As Ireland’s pathfinders, Breen and Highland President couldn’t have been better to kick the competition off, posting yet another clear round to give Kurten’s team the perfect start.

McEvoy, one of the most decorated athletes across youth championships in Europe was next in for Ireland with Olympic GL FVD and the 21-year-old Tyrone woman showed why so much faith has been placed in her with another magnificent clear round on her Longines League of Nations debut.

She couldn’t hide her delight with ‘Ollie’ after jumping the last to secure the clear round, with her smile lighting up the magnificent Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club as Ireland remained perfect through their first two combinations.

Shane Breen, himself making a first appearance in the Longines League of Nations, ensured his team would go into round two with a zero score after BP Arctic Blue, recent four star World Cup winner, made it look easy with a third clear in as many rounds.

Kurten had the luxury of going without Pender and HHS Los Angeles (ISH) in round one with Ireland’s score was perfect, meaning the team would jump last of the remaining eight nations in the second round as one of just two teams on a zero score, alongside France.

It was the Breen brothers and Pender who would line up as Ireland’s trio in round two with all scores counting, leave little room for error.

Trevor Breen had a desperately unlucky eight faults with Highland President to open up second time around and with clears for Germany, UAE and France, there was work to do to claw back the lead.

The second round was tough, with alterations to the course made at the break, and Shane Breen replicated brother Trevor’s score of eight faults with Arctic Blue BP as Ireland lay in fifth place on 16 faults with Pender to come for the first time.

With a podium out of reach, Pender guided HHS Los Angeles around the tricky second round course for just four faults as Ireland finished on an overall total of 20 in sixth position of the 11 nations.

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