Irish Olympic Team Announced

Posted on Monday, 07 July 2008 10:37AM by

The Irish Squad for Hong Kong has been announced following their final trial at Barbury Castle CIC***  yesterday they are as follows: Austin O'Connor - Hobby du Mee Louise Lyons - Watership Down Capt Geoff Curran - Kilkishen, Balladeer Alfred Niall Griffin - Lorgaine Trish Ryan - Fernhill Clover Mist Captain Geoff Curran will bring both his horses into quarantine and will decide on which one to ride nearer to the games. In addition one other horse and rider will enter quarantine as official reserve. This rider is: Sacha Pemble; Hyanie d'Aubrie and I've Been Dunn Two other riders have been placed on a reserve list should anything happen to the selected horses or riders prior to entering quarantine. These are, in order of selection: Sam Watson; Ballybolger Bushman Jayne Doherty; Art Attack Speaking after the announcement HSI High Performance Coach Ginny Elliot, herself a four time Olympic medallist, said that it was very difficult to select the final squad. "I have picked the squad based on what I consider to be the best team of horses and riders for the physical and mental challenges they will face in Hong Kong. Our focus will be on the team competition and I have selected the horses and riders with this in mind," she said. In conclusion, Ginny Elliot said that she really felt for those who did not make the squad. "I want to thank all the riders and their owners for the tremendous effort they have put in to make the team, particularly over the last month. It is gutting not to make the squad but I have stressed to them the need to be ready if called on between now and the games," she said. The eventing squad will enter quarantine in Aachen, Germany on July 17th, will fly to Hong Kong on July 29th and will commence competition on August 8th.