Equestrian:The FEI, equestrian sports' international governing body, has confirmed that Ireland will have a full team of five in the eventing competition at the London Olympics as some riders from qualified countries had failed to meet the minimum eligibility requirements by the weekend deadline.
Horse Sport Ireland’s eventing high performance manager Ginny Elliot will nominate the five combinations for the places to the Olympic Council of Ireland on July 2nd following the Barbury Castle international horse trials which finish the previous day. A long list of 10 riders and 11 horses was announced recently.
Commenting on the FEI’s announcement, HSI chairman Joe Walsh said he was delighted that Ireland could now send a full team to the Games.
“I want to thank all the owners and riders who made such a commitment to pursue the team qualification. I would also like to acknowledge the huge contribution made by our High Performance coaches Ginny Elliot, Ian Fearon and Ferdi Eilberg as well as team vet Marcus Swail.
“I also want to give due credit to high performance advisors Jean Mitchell and Jessica Harrington as well as David Lee and Janet Murray who have also made a huge commitment to the programme.
“I also wish to thank the Fell family in Ballindenisk. Their international event in February was very important in terms of giving Irish riders the opportunity to gain extra world ranking points. The support of the Irish Sports Council has also been critical to being able to achieve qualification as has the contribution of our affiliate body Eventing Ireland, as well as the Olympic Council of Ireland and its support services," he concluded.
The shortlisted combinations are (in alphabetical order): Aoife Clark (Master Crusoe), Capt Geoff Curran (Shanaclough Crecora and The Jump Jet), Jayne Doherty (Ravenstar), Sarah Ennis (Sugar Brown Babe), Mark Kyle (Coolio), Joseph Murphy (Electric Cruise), Elizabeth Power (September Bliss), Michael Ryan (Ballylynch Adventure), Camilla Speirs (Portersize Just a Jiff) and Sam Watson (Horseware Bushman).
Ireland has also secured two places in show jumping, one in dressage, one in modern pentathlon, as well as four places in the Paralympics.