Horse Sport Ireland's eventing High Performance Manager Ginny Elliot has named the combinations that will represent Ireland at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky at the end of September.
The squad is:
| Rider | Horse | Owners |
|---|
| Mark Kyle | Step in Time | Tanya & Mark Kyle | | Liz Power | Kilpatrick River | Dermot O'Rourke | | Michael Ryan | Ballylynch Adventure | Carol & Tom Henry | | Patricia Ryan | Fernhill Clover Mist | Carol & Tom Henry & Sheila Foley | | Camilla Speirs | Portersize Just a Jiff | Bridget & Camilla Speirs | | Sam Watson | Horseware Bushman | John & Julia Watson & Tom MacGuinness | | Reserve Riders | Horse | Owners |
|---|
| Jayne Doherty | The Only One | Jonathon Doherty | | Capt. Geoff Curran | The Jump Jet | Maurice Cassidy & The Minister for Defence |
Originally it had been intended to send only five combinations to the games rather then the six permitted with the five horses travelling in 'wide stalls' on the flight to the games. However, following discussions between the management team and the riders the space on the plane has been re-configured to have three horses travelling in single stalls and three in wide stalls.
"I am delighted that we can bring six riders," said Ginny Elliot."
While flying the horses to the USA is hugely expensive and bringing five horses did provide one team reserve, it was still a concern as it is so easy for horses to pick up an injury or be unwell on the day of the competition. Bringing six gives us that bit more breathing space. It also means that six riders will gain the experience of competing at World Championships which is invaluable."
She explained that the six selected combinations had all performed at four star level this season and had performed solidly since.
"All six combinations competed in the advanced competition at Highclere Castle on Monday, where dressage coach Ferdi Eilberg and show jumping coach Michael Quirke were also in attendance and we were pleased with their performances there," she said.
"Team vet Marcus Swail assessed them at the cross country finish line and we examined all the horses again on Tuesday morning and they were in good shape," she said.
There will be a further three days of team training starting on 13 September following which the horses will leave for Liege in Belguim to board the plane for Kentucky on 17 September, with the competition commencing on 30 September.
Ms Elliot concluded by emphasising how important it was for the team to secure Olympic qualification at the World Equestrian Games by finishing in the top five, excluding Olympic hosts Great Britain.
"While the World Equestrian Games are hugely important in their own right they also represent the first chance to secure Olympic qualification and it would be great if we could achieve this. London 2012 represents a huge opportunity for Ireland with no travel burden on our horses and climatic conditions in our favour," she said.
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