Revised Fixtures and Venues for 2020 Premier League Darts

A revised schedule for the 2020 Unibet Premier League has been confirmed, which will see the tournament resume in August with six nights played behind closed doors at the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and current restrictions, the planned double-header at Rotterdam Ahoy will not take place in 2020, along with the scheduled league nights in Birmingham, Belfast, Leeds and Berlin.

Six replacement nights, including Judgement Night which will see one player eliminated from the competition, will take place behind closed doors at the Marshall Arena from August 25-30.

The 2020 Unibet Premier League is then scheduled to continue with the remaining four league nights in Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield, before the top four players contest the Play-Offs at The O2 in London on its revised date of October 22.

Ticket holders for five venues cancelled in 2020 (Birmingham, Belfast, Leeds, Berlin and the Thursday night in Rotterdam) will have their tickets automatically transferred for the same seat at the 2021 event at the same venue. All remaining tickets for these events are available from venue Box Offices. The 2021 Premier League schedule, including venues and dates, is listed below.

Any fans wishing to receive a refund must apply to their point of purchase (the Box Office where they bought their tickets) before 1700 BST on Friday July 31 (Friday August 14 in Rotterdam). Ticket holders for the Berlin night who purchased tickets through Affilitix can see details of the German government’s voucher scheme at https://www.pdc-europe.tv/de/beantrage-deinen-gutschein (German) or https://www.pdc-europe.tv/voucher/ (English).

Ticket holders for the Wednesday night at Rotterdam Ahoy (September 9) will be automatically refunded as that show will not take place in 2021.

Tickets for the 2020 Premier League event at The O2, London will be automatically transferred to the Play-Offs on October 22, NOT to the May 2021 date.

Tickets for the 2020 nights in Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and London remain on sale.

For the six venues already played in 2020 (Aberdeen, Nottingham, Cardiff, Dublin, Exeter and Liverpool), as well as Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, Brighton and London, tickets for their 2021 Premier League nights will go on sale later in the year. Details will be advertised at pdc.tv/tickets once finalised.

2020 Unibet Premier League

Revised Schedule – At July 15 2020

Night 7 – Tuesday August 25, Milton Keynes

Night 8 – Wednesday August 26, Milton Keynes

Judgement Night – Thursday August 27, Milton Keynes

Night 10 – Friday August 28, Milton Keynes

Night 11 – Saturday August 29, Milton Keynes

Night 12 – Sunday August 30, Milton Keynes

Night 13 – Thursday September 17, The SSE Hydro, Glasgow

Night 14 – Thursday September 24, The Manchester Arena

Night 15 – Thursday October 1, The Utilita Arena, Newcastle

Night 16 – Thursday October 15, The FlyDSA Arena, Sheffield

Play-Offs – Thursday October 22, The O2, London

10 Things Every Skater Should Know

If you are a beginner in skating and are worried about what you should consider, then this is the right page for you. If you have been skating for a while, it is also good to refresh your mind of the things that a skater should know.

Below are ten things every skater should know:

The Basics are Essential

Some professional skating tricks like kickflip seems easy when you see a professional do them in videos and skate parks.

However, if you try them yourself, you may realize that it is somehow challenging. This may lead to feelings of disappointment, but you should never give up. All you need is to take your time and master a few basics.

Never Compare Your Progress to Others

It will help if you progress at your own pace without comparing yourself with others.

Some people learn slowly and others first. Don’t look at those people who learn tricks faster and think you’re not good enough because you are learning slowly.

Instead, you should see those who learn faster as an inspiration to work hard and match their skills someday.

Don’t Be Shy to Practice in the Skate Park

Many skating beginners are shy to enter the skate park in fear of being laughed at or called a poser. But this should not worry you.

It would be best if you practiced without fear. Remember that everybody was once a beginner.

Those who have more experience should encourage beginners and help them learn new tricks.

Equipment versus Practice

You should ensure that you have a good skateboard. If you are a beginner, find the best skateboard to buy to learn on. The same thing applies to skate shoes.

However, the equipment will not benefit you if you don’t practice. You must practice regularly.

The Skate Should Be Your New Friend

As a beginner in skating, you should only aim your skating goal just for fun and progressing. Many skaters go wrong when they skate for money and sponsorship.

Sponsors mainly look for those who are having fun and are doing it with passion.

After all, even if you are sponsored, you are still going to skate, and progress and hence this should be your goal.

Never Focus on Pleasing People

Before you take that risk of trying a new trick that you are not sure of to impress people, you should first take safety. It is not worth maintaining a major or minor injury to impress people.

If you get injured, take time to heal. Always try what you can do and leave that you doubt for another day.

Always Stay Positive

Sometimes you will do a trick that you have been doing in front of your friends and this time it goes wrong.

In such a case, you need to be strong and positive. You can do another one that you know and your day will end well.

Skate with Friends

While there is no harm in skating alone, doing it with friends is even more enjoyable. The importance of skating others is that you will learn from them. They will support you in learning what you don’t know because they were once in that position.

Try New Tricks

There are many tricks that you can learn in the skateboard by being creative. After learning the basic tricks, it is time you push yourself to learn new tricks.

You have to apply your creativity to progress, but never be stuck in a single spot.

Patience is Key

It is not everybody who can do a new trick in a single try. Some people can try a thousand times of failing to do an Ollie. So, keep trying new tricks and don’t go off when you fail. Practice will make perfect.

Details of Lions 2021 tour of South Africa

The British & Irish Lions and SA Rugby have confirmed the 2021 Tour to South Africa will go ahead as scheduled, with every game live on Sky Sports.

The eagerly-awaited series visits some of the most impressive stadiums in world sport and culminates in three Test matches against the newly crowned Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks.

The eight-game Tour kicks off on Saturday 3 July 2021 when the Lions play Vodacom Super Rugby’s DHL Stormers in Cape Town.

Three weeks later the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg will host the first Test – a venue which has previously hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final.

The second Test will be on Saturday 31 July at the Cape Town Stadium – the first Lions Test there since 1997 – before the tourists return to Gauteng for the final Test on Saturday 7 August at Emirates Airline Park – the venue of the 1995 Rugby World Cup final.

The Lions have toured South Africa on 13 previous occasions, with the first Tour taking place in 1891. In that time, the Lions have won four Test series, lost eight with one drawn. Their overall record against the Springboks is played 46, won 17, lost 23 and drawn six.

Lions 2021 tour schedule to South Africa:

Saturday 3 July: British & Irish Lions v DHL Stormers – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town.

Wednesday 7 July: British & Irish Lions v South Africa ‘Invitational’ – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth.

Saturday 10 July: British & Irish Lions v Cell C Sharks – Jonsson Kings Park, Durban.

Wednesday 14 July: British & Irish Lions v South Africa ‘A’ Team – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit.

Saturday 17 July: British & Irish Lions v Vodacom Bulls – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria.

Saturday 24 July (first Test): Springboks v British & Irish Lions – FNB Stadium, Johannesburg.

Saturday 31 July (second Test): Springboks v British & Irish Lions – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town.

Saturday 7 August (third Test): Springboks v British & Irish Lions – Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg.

Leinster Rugby Academy players for 2020/21 confirmed

Leinster Rugby has this morning confirmed the Academy list for the 2020/21 season with seven new players joining this summer.

Niall Comerford (UCD RFC), Joe McCarthy (DUFC), John McKee (Old Belvedere RFC), Sean O’Brien (UCD RFC), Max O’Reilly (DUFC), Andrew Smith (Clontarf FC) and Alex Soroka (Clontarf FC) are the players in question.

All seven players were named in the Ireland Under 20 squad for the 2020 Six Nations competition which is currently suspended with two rounds to go and with Ireland on top with three wins from three.

Noel McNamara, the Leinster Rugby Academy Manager said

“As with any year we are delighted to see a group of young men move on to Senior contracts and we wish those five players the very best of luck.

“Then it’s time to get excited for the next group coming in and seeing how they develop over the coming seasons.

“This morning’s announcement is a hugely special moment for the players and the culmination of a lot of hard work over many years. Of course, the reality is that the hard work is only beginning, but it is important to mark this achievement and for them and their clubs, schools, and families to take pride in what this next step means.

“It is also important to highlight the role played by the coaching team based in the Ken Wall Centre of Excellence and their contribution in developing these players.

“We are very much looking forward to continuing our support to the incoming players in the next stage of their journey with Leinster.”

With the IRFU confirming last week that the four provincial Academies will return to training on 20th July, McNamara reflected on the few weeks ahead as players started to look towards next season.

“There will be challenges of course but the set-up in UCD and down in Energia Park in the Ken Wall Centre of Excellence is ready to welcome Academy staff and players in time and safely for the start of training.

“Huge credit must go to the team behind the scenes from an operations point of view and also the medical and the S&C side of things.

“Trojan work from everyone but Dave Fagan and Joe McGinley in particular from an S&C perspective and then from Darragh Curley and Mark Kenneally on the medical side of things. No stone has been left unturned over the last few months as we build towards the 20th.

“Everyone recognises that this is a unique situation trying to finish one season, before moving on to another and everyone at Leinster Rugby is committed to playing our part in that going ahead successfully and hopefully the positive news continues over the coming weeks.”

Leinster Rugby has already confirmed that five players have been promoted from the Leinster Academy system and will start the 2020/21 season as part of the Senior squad and today’s confirmation brings the total number of players in the Academy to 18.

Leinster Rugby – Senior Contracts 2020/21:

Ryan Baird (7 caps)
Harry Byrne (9 caps)
Jack Dunne (7 caps)
Tommy O’Brien (3 caps)
Dan Sheehan (0 caps)

Leinster Rugby Academy – Year Three 2020/21:

David Hawkshaw
Michael Milne (8 caps)
Aaron O’Sullivan
Patrick Patterson (3 caps)
Michael Silvester

Leinster Rugby Academy – Year Two 2020/21:

Tom Clarkson
Brian Deeny
Cormac Foley
Martin Moloney
Charlie Ryan
Liam Turner

Leinster Rugby Academy – Year One 2020/21:

Niall Comerford
Joe McCarthy
John McKee
Sean O’Brien
Max O’Reilly
Andrew Smith
Alex Soroka

Can Klopp Guide Liverpool to Back-to-Back Titles?

It is often said that the defence of a title is more difficult than winning it in the first place. That is now the next challenge for Liverpool’s talented German manager Jurgen Klopp.

Having dominated the 2019/2020 Premier League season, Klopp’s Liverpool showed no mercy as they marched to victory. Sometimes the football was breath-taking, and on other occasions, it was gritty and determined – the exact formula needed to add yet more silverware to the Anfield trophy cabinet.

However, while many EPL expert predictions for this weekend are asking if Liverpool will break the 100-point barrier, we want to look further down the road and preview what next season may hold for the title holders.

The Weight of History

The last Liverpool manager to win back-to-back league titles was the legendary Bob Paisley in 1981/82 and 1982/83. The Reds also went on to win the league the following season (1983/84), but that was under the stewardship of Joe Fagan.

In the Premier League era (1992/1993 onwards), only three managers have achieved the feat of retaining the title. They are Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. Many world-class coaches, such as Carlo Ancelotti, Arsene Wenger, Antonio Conte, and Roberto Mancini, tried and failed to follow-up their inaugural Premier League success.

This sums up the size of the task that Jurgen Klopp is facing. While Liverpool fans celebrated wildly this season, they don’t want this to be a one-off victory. For much of the past 25 years, they have suffered as Manchester United ruled English football. The Reds’ supporters want this to be the start of a new dynasty for Liverpool Football Club.

Who Stays and Who Goes?

It is too simplistic to say that if Klopp keeps his squad together that his boys will romp to another title next season. First, there is the mindset of the player. If any members of his team feel like they have achieved greatness already, will they be as hungry to want more?

In my opinion, this is an area where Jurgen Klopp excels as a coach. His man-management skills are off the charts. Take the previous year, for example. Liverpool pushed Manchester City all the way. They picked up a staggering 97 points and finished a single point behind Pep’s side. Furthermore, they went on to win the Champions League beating Tottenham Hotspur in the final. Instead of feeling sorry for themselves, Klopp motivated his team to push even harder, and the fruits of their labour have paid dividends.

But back to the question who stays and who goes? While Liverpool’s front three of Salah, Mane, and Firmino grab many headlines, this current squad has several other gems like Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Alisson Becker.

It goes without saying that European giants, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, and even PSG with their deep pockets, would love to get their hands on any of these players. Could Liverpool face another Coutinho scenario where a big-money offer comes in, and the player’s head gets turned?

Second favourites at the bookies

Most of the leading online betting sites have already opened their books for the 2020/21 Premier League season. Rather surprisingly, Liverpool have been marked-up as second-favourites, with Manchester City leading the betting. Admittedly, there isn’t much in it. City are evens (2.00) and Liverpool are 6/4 (2.50). But nevertheless, this is somewhat insulting to a team that virtually had the title in the bag at Christmas.

If Klopp and his lads need any extra motivation to go out and prove themselves again. This favouritism of Pep and Man City should do the trick. What do you think will happen next year? We’d love to hear others’ opinions on this topic.

How Playing Volleyball can Help Boost Health and Endurance

Be it enjoyed as an indoor game, on beach or grass, volleyball is undoubtedly a real-fun sport to play.

Besides the fun-facts, it is an excellent alternative to stay strong and healthy. Playing volleyball in an indoor court or a field is not just about spending some good time with your mates, it also comes with a handful of health benefits that boosts your endurance. And you would hardly assume it as a form of physical exercise! It is enjoyable, engaging, and at the same time, proper utilization of time boosting your overall wellbeing. Whether you are a master player, member of your high school team, or a beginner, putting on the perfect court specific shoes will assist you to be in your best form and boost your performance by offering stability, flexibility, and support.

Volleyball Helps Improve Your Health and Endurance

Besides being a fabulous way of getting involved in social activities, this sport also lets you grow stamina every time you get into court. Let’s dive into how this ‘game of sophistication’ can help boost your energy and physique condition.

Improves Cardiovascular Health

No matter whether you are practicing indoors, or on the beach, playing volleyball is a fabulous way of cardiovascular exercise. While playing volleyball, you get involved in actions, like running, jumping, or, squatting that can significantly develop your lung and heart condition by increasing oxygen and blood circulation throughout the body. When your cardiac and respiratory systems are strengthened, your physique can combat illnesses like diabetes, cancer, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and many more.

Burns Calories and Fat

Not only can cardiovascular activities help to maintain the right shape of your body, but a combination of cardio-exercise with strength training is also significantly beneficial to burn the excess calories. Practicing volleyball keeps your body in continuous action that lets your calorie expenditure surpass the calories you consume. A study of the Harvard Medical School says, depending on your weight, you can burn anywhere from 90-133 calories by playing non-competitive volleyball for 30 minutes while a competitive one will let you burn 120-178 calories. So to say, this fun-game is also an excellent way to maintain your weight and burn excess fat.

Strengthens and Tones Muscles

The game of volleyball comprises a lot of physical movements that help you develop your muscular performance and tones the body. The actions include passing, bumping, setting, spiking, attacking, or serving the ball that mimic a full-body workout aiming to strengthen and tone your upper and lower body, arms, wrist, thighs, abdomen, and shoulder. A piece of research targeting 11 players playing beach volleyball for 12 weeks found that they had gained more endurance, muscle strength, knee extension, and flexibility.

Boosts Intake of Healthy Nutrients

This sport demands a lot of strength and endurance. To supply the body with the required energy, players should take on a diet enriched with a sufficient amount of protein and calories excluding trans fat. An intake balanced with vitamins and minerals works great for volleyball players. Again their diet also incorporates good carbohydrates and proteins to supply the required stamina.

You have to be agile and get involved in various activities and maintain excellent upper body strength for better performance. Thus, your metabolic rate increases to generate energy, build your muscle and avoid injuries. When you play volleyball and ensure healthy nutrients, you can improve your strength, burn the excess fat, and combat diseases.

Improves Joint Health

If you are suffering from joint or arthritic pain, practising volleyball can offer you a great relief. Based on the way you play, this low impact game will help you strengthen your arms and legs to offer better joint strength. Before you kick off, ensure you go through a decent warm-up to make your joints prepared for the sport.

Boosts Your Strength and Flexibility

You have to target distinct muscles to enhance your vitality and flexibility. As already said, playing volleyball is a fabulous way for a full-body workout that helps you grow strong coordination among muscles to develop energy and flexibility.

Things You Need to Play Volleyball

Whether you are playing it professionally or recreationally, you need some pieces of equipment to start. Some of the necessary gears involve:

Net

You will require a volleyball net to kick off the game. You can get nets sold in sets that may incorporate the net itself, the ball, carry bag, and tension straps to offer you effortless storage.

The Ball

You may get a half-decent ball with the net set, but if you are determined to ramp up your performance, you may need a high-quality volleyball.

Knee Pads

Putting on knee pads is a must while practising on a rough surface or an indoor court. Thus you can avoid injuries and keep your joints safe to play for longer.

Shoes

You may not need a suitable pair of shoes for playing beach volleyball, but playing on a rough surface or court demands volleyball shoes. Such shoes offer breathability, better stability, and flexibility while running or jumping, thus keep your ankles and feet safe.

Volleyball is simultaneously a fabulous way of enjoyment and improving your health and endurance for overall wellbeing.

Tributes to Jack Charlton, the man who dared us to dream

Mick McCarthy and Niall Quinn have led Irish football’s tributes to Jack Charlton, the manager whose ‘Put ‘Em under Pressure’ game put Ireland on the world stage with pride and passion and dared a nation to dream.

As Ireland fans awoke to the sad news of Jack’s death at his Newcastle home, his Captain Fantastic Mick and Italia ’90 hero Niall cried a tear or two for the man who changed their lives.

Both were there when Big Jack stunned his native England at Euro ’88, both were on the pitch when Jack led Ireland into the World Cup quarter-final against Italy two years later and both watched from the stands as Jack gained revenge on the Italians at the 1994 World Cup.

“I’m sure I’m not the only Irish person who shed a tear or two this morning,” Niall told FAI.ie. “I’m devastated. I am finding it very hard to put into words what Jack meant to the whole country, not just to me and to those of us lucky enough to have played for him in an Ireland shirt.

“Jack Charlton led the band. He brought us, as a players and fans, to places we never thought possible beforehand and gave us so many precious moments. He changed lives. For his players, he gave us the best days of our lives.

“This news has hit me with a bang. We have so much to be grateful to Jack for and I am truly saddened, like so many others, with this news today. Our thoughts go to Pat and Jack’s family who shared that wonderful journey with us. May he rest in peace.”

Captain when Ireland reached the World Cup quarter-finals at Italia ‘90, Mick McCarthy last spoke to Jack on the day after the great man celebrated his 85th birthday in May.

“I loved the bones of the man, I am devastated with this news and my heart goes out to Pat and the family,” said Mick. “Jack’s passing will touch Ireland, England and the football world but the loss to football will be felt in Ireland more than anywhere else.

“English fans will always remember Jack as one of their World Cup winners in 1966 but what he did with Ireland will, I suspect, mean even more to our fans and the country.

“He turned a really good team into a team that qualified for tournaments and made an impact at them. He changed my life, he changed everything for all of us who played for Ireland and just look at the memories we have.

“We will always have Stuttgart and Genoa and Giants Stadium thanks to Jack. That’s how we will remember him, with a great big smile on his face. I know this is a sad day but we will remember the great days as well.

“I did speak to him very briefly the day after his birthday but it was difficult due to his health. I told him I loved the bones of him that day and I always will.”

FAI President Gerry McAnaney has expressed his sympathies to the Charlton family on behalf of the Association and the Irish football community.

“We all have so many memories of Jack Charlton and all of them positive – he was the man who brought the nation to a standstill as we all held our breath back in 1990,” remembered Gerry.

“I know I speak on behalf of everyone involved in Irish football and everyone in Ireland when I extend our sympathies to Pat and the Charlton family. Thanks to Jack, they are part of our family now as well and we will never forget what he did for our game and our country.

“He transformed our sport. He changed the way we played football, of course, but he also changed the way the country looked at Irish football. He gave Ireland a team to be proud of and the country took him to our hearts in return. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”

Chris Froome leaves Team INEOS for Team Israel Start-Up Nation

Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome will leave Team INEOS and move to Team Israel Start-Up Nation for next season.

Froome’s current team confirmed on Thursday that the Kenyan-born Briton’s contract would not be renewed.

Dave Brailsford of Team INEOS, formerly known as Team Sky, said of the decision to leave Froome go:

“Chris’s current contract comes to an end in December and we have taken the decision now not to renew it. Chris has been with us from the start. He is a great champion and we have shared many memorable moments over the years but I do believe this is the right decision for the Team and for Chris. Given his achievements in the sport, Chris is understandably keen to have sole team leadership in the next chapter of his career – which is not something we are able to guarantee him at this point.”

Commenting on his impending departure from the team, Chris Froome said:

“It has been a phenomenal decade with the Team, we have achieved so much together and I will always treasure the memories. I look forward to exciting new challenges as I move into the next phase of my career but in the meantime my focus is on winning a fifth Tour de France with Team INEOS.”

Shortly after the announcement from Team INEOS, Team Israel Start-Up Nation confirmed that Froome would lead their team next season.

The Israeli team and the 7-time Grand Tour champion will sign a long-term contract on August 1st that will see Froome wear ISN’s blue and white until the end of his career.

“Chris is the best rider of his generation” said Israel Start-Up Nation co-owner, Sylvan Adams,” before adding “and will lead our Tour de France and Grand Tour squad. We hope to make history together as Chris pursues further Tour de France and Grand Tour victories, achievements that would make a serious case for Chris to be considered the greatest cyclist of all time.”

Chris Froome commented: “I’m really excited to be joining the ISN family. I look forward to challenging and being challenged by their talent and continuing to strive for the success that I’ve enjoyed up to now. ISN’s impact on the sport is rapidly expanding, and I’m energized to be along for the ride. I feel we can achieve great things together.”

Team Israel Start-Up Nation’s rapid progression from its beginnings as a Continental team to the WorldTour in just five years has now entered its next phase, explained ISN’s Team Manager, Kjell Carlstrom

“We have been looking to strengthen the team for 2021 in several ways, not least of which is to become Grand Tour contenders. With his impressive palmarès, Chris Froome is the perfect leader to mark our arrival as a serious contender for these races, particularly the Tour de France. Chris’ career has been extraordinary, and we believe that he has both the mindset and physical talents to win more Grand Tours with us, while also acting as a mentor to our young talents, helping them succeed.”

One of Froome’s new team mates will be Irish cyclist Dan Martin, who signed on a two-year contract for the team in August 2019, when it was known as Israel Cycling Academy.

Qualifying Process for Ryder Cup frozen until 2021

The qualification process for Team Europe for the 43^rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits has been frozen until the beginning of next year after the biennial contest was postponed until 2021.

The Tour’s Tournament Committee voted unanimously to ratify the changes which will see qualifying resume on January 1, 2021, ahead of golf’s greatest team contest which will now be staged from September 24-26, 2021.

All points earned to date on both the European and World Points lists, which started at the 2019 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and which were paused after the 2020 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in March this year, will continue to count.

In addition, one or more points multipliers may be introduced during the course of the 2021 European Tour season to ensure that strong performance closer to the match in September 2021 is given added importance. These will be agreed once the 2021 European Tour schedule has been announced and communicated to the Membership prior to 1st January.

As in 2020, Qualification points will not be available anywhere in the world during 2021 from a tournament played opposite a Rolex Series event, further enhancing the status of the premier series of events on the European Tour.

Overall, there will be no modification to the qualifying criteria ratified by the Tournament Committee last year: i.e. the first four qualifiers for Team Europe will come from the European Points list, the next five from the World Points list and Captain Pádraig Harrington will have three wildcard picks.

The change to the qualifying process maintains the normal length of the qualification period plus a further two months, as January and February in both 2020 and 2021 are included. The end date of the qualification period will be confirmed when the 2021 Race to Dubai schedule is announced.

European Captain Pádraig Harrington said the announced changed:

“I think the proposals that have been outlined are fair to all players involved in the qualification process, whether they have already amassed points or will be looking to do so from next January onwards.”

Blake wins Power & Speed at Tryon with Merveldt 4th in Austria

Co Clare rider David Blake won the $10,000 Power & Speed Stake at Tryon, North Carolina, USA, while Irish Dressage rider Anna Merveldt was fourth in the CDI4* Grand Prix Special at Achleiten in Austria.

Blake, riding Don’t Touch Du Bois, dominated the second phase of the Power and Speed competition as the 11-year-old mare clocked 26.893 seconds to win ahead of Australian Rowan Willis with Wellington Grandorie, who finished in 27.419 seconds. American Daniel Geitner and Vesta De Lavardin were third in 28.404 seconds.

David Blake and Don’t Touch Du Bois won in Tryon, North Carolina. Credit: Sportfot.

Anna Merveldt and the 11-year-old stallion Esporim, with a personal best score in Grand Prix Special of 71.426%, were fourth in the CDI4* Grand Prix Special at Achleiten, Austria, a competition won by Germany’s six-time Olympic Gold medallist, Isabel Werth, with DSP Quantaz on a score of 80.149%.

Anna Merveldt and Esporim. Credit: Joe Reynolds.

Irish competitors will be represented at international shows this weekend, across the USA and Europe.

In showjumping, Irish riders will be in action as St Tropez Grimaud (FRA), Opglabbeek (BEL), Vilamoura (POR), Royan (FRA), Traverse City Michigan (USA), Bonheiden (BEL), Ste Cecile (FRA), Tryon North Carolina (USA) and San Giovanni In Marignano (ITA).

Ireland will also be represented in dressage at Grote-Brogel (BEL), in endurance at Ehrhardt South Carolina (USA) and in driving at Buehl (GER).

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