Ireland line out with just four riders at the Traxdata European show jumping championships at Hickstead today.
Following the withdrawal of Peter Charles, individual gold medallist in 1995, attempts were made to draft in Eddie Macken as a fifth man on the squad, but this was disallowed as Macken was not on the original list of nominated entries.
Charles, who has been battling to return to full fitness from an ankle injury, was forced to withdraw from the championships as his horse Carnavelly is still lame after falling in his field a fortnight ago. The gelding is due to have a £1,500 full body scan in Newmarket today to assess the extent of the damage.
The British have, however, successfully dug themselves out of a similar hole, substituting Geoff Billington following the withdrawal of anchorman John Whitaker, whose two nominated horses are both lame. Whitaker's new ride Virtual Village Flower is still suffering from a foot abscess and his Kerrygold Grand Prix winner, the 19-year-old Welham which was part of Britain's bronze medal team two years ago, has pulled a muscle above his knee.
Billington was called in as a last-minute replacement on Monday, just beating the international deadline that requires substitutions to be made two days before the start.
Horses from 21 nations were brought before a veterinary panel at Hickstead yesterday and all were declared fit to compete in today's warm-up competition, after which the team managers will nominate their quartet for the championships proper, which begin tomorrow.
There are 15 full teams declared, with Irish chef d'equipe Tommy Wade relying on the same four that slotted into joint-fourth in the British Nations Cup - also at Hickstead - last month.
Marion Hughes, who jumped a superb double clear to help Ireland to second place in the Aga Khan, goes with the home-bred Heritage Charlton and is joined by fellow Queen's Cup winner Jessica Kurten on the talented Paavo.
Edward Doyle, who was on the substitutes bench for the Aga Khan, returns to the team with Windgates King Koal, while Trevor Coyle claims his now traditional captain's role with the stallion Cruising.
Ireland's main goal will be a slot for next year's Olympic Games, although Peter Charles believes that even if the Irish don't officially qualify at Hickstead, the team will get to Sydney through natural wastage.
The Swiss are tipped as hot favourites to take Friday's European team honours, while Trevor Coyle is expected to be Ireland's main hope of an individual medal in Sunday's final.
"I think Cruising could be the one to beat if he gets his nose in front on the first day", Coyle's erstwhile team mate and now on-the-ground supporter Peter Charles says.
