CRUISING, the top show-jumping stallion that Trevor Coyle rode on three winning Nations Cup teams last year and whose double clear took the Irish to second place in St Gallen last weekend, will definitely not be part of the Olympic team.

The stallion's owner Mary McCann, who bred the 11-year-old at Hartwell Stud in Kill, Co Kildare, has consistently stated that she would not allow Cruising to travel to Atlanta this summer due to the high levels of heat and humidity expected during the Games.

"I told the Equestrian Federation last June that he wouldn't be going after I took veterinary advice about the conditions in Atlanta," McCann said yesterday.

Chairman of selectors Paul Duffy was philosophical yesterday as he announced his team of Eddie Macken, Peter Charles, Captain John Ledingham and Jessica Chesney for Atlanta. "Obviously we have to respect the owner's decision, but it is a great pity as we would definitely have been in line for a medal if he was part of the team."