Horse Sport Ireland confirms eventing team to take part in Olympics
Horse Sport Ireland has today informed the Olympic Council of Ireland and the FEI that they intend to send a three day eventing team (five riders) to the Olympic Games in Hong Kong this August.
Speaking from the International World Cup qualifier event in Tattersalls in Co Meath today, HIS’s High Performance Coach Ginny Elliot said that following a meeting with the 14 squad riders
and their owners and trainers last night in Tattersalls she decided to proceed with entering a team.
"We had a very frank meeting last night which followed a rider fitness test and I am now happy that enough riders will give full commitment to the programme over the next two and half months to give
us every chance of putting in a competitive team performance at the Olympics," she said.
Ms. Elliot, a four time Olympic medallist, said that she would be reducing the squad from fourteen to eight riders before June 16 and would name the final team after the One Day Event in Barbury Castle early in July.
"The riders now have an opportunity of a lifetime and it is up them to grab it with both hands," she added.
The Chairman of Eventing Ireland, John Wright, said he was delighted to be informed of the decision.
" I want to wish Ginny, the riders and owners the very best of luck in their preparation. It was not easy to secure the qualification places and I know that all eventing people will get behind the team,"
he said.
