The squad in alphabetical order is:
Capt. Brian Curran Cournane; The Sally Rod (Owner Maurice Cassidy)
Sacha Pemble; I’ve Been Dun ( Owner Christine and Richard Pemble)
Elizabeth Power; Kilpatrick River (Owner Dermot O’Rourke)
Patricia Ryan; Fernhill Clover Mist (Owner Tom & Carol Henry)
Sarah Wardell; Killeenduff Boy (Owner Jo Daly)
Sam Watson; Horseware Bushman (Owner John Watson)
Four of these riders will compete as the Irish team while the remaining two riders will compete as individuals.
Ginny Elliot said that she would be confirming the list of reserve riders shortly. Speaking after the announcement she said: “I had some difficult decisions to make as a lot of the riders have made good progress this year. Four of the selected riders and five of the selected horses will be making their first senior championship appearance for Ireland and while I expect a strong performance at Fontainebleau the experience will also be very beneficial for the horses and riders,” she said.
“Capt. Brian Curran Cournane and The Sally Rod have had three solid performances in CIC3* competitions in Belton, Barbury and the World Cup qualifier at Gatcombe this year, as well as the CCI3* in Saumur.
“Elizabeth Power and Kilpatrick River have had an excellent year, finishing 11th in Badminton and leading after dressage in Barbury and had a nice confidence -building run in Aston-le-Walls recently,” Ginny said.
“Sacha Pemble and I’ve Been Dun finished in the top ten in a very difficult four-star competition in Luhmuhlen and was in the top ten again at Hartpury last weekend.”
She continued: “Patricia Ryan and Fernhill Clover Mist had an outstanding win in Tattersalls and another excellent top five finish in Barbury. The combination’s experience from last year’s Olympic Games will also stand her and the team in good stead.
“Sarah Wardell and Killeenduff Boy were not included on the squad at the start of the year as Sarah missed a lot of last year with a serious injury. However Sarah is an experienced rider and has come back very strongly and she and Killeenduff Boy have had three very solid runs in Tattersalls and Gatcombe World Cup classes and at the CCI3* competition in Bramham.
“Sam Watson and Horseware Bushman had a very solid performance on their debut run at Badminton this year and followed that up with an excellent third place in the very competitive event at Barbury Castle,’ said Ginny.
She concluded by acknowledging the huge contribution being made by the dressage and show jumping coaches Ferdi Eilberg and Michael Quirke.
“Our coaching system has made a huge difference so far this year. We will be having further sessions with the riders before we travel to Fontainebleau, and it will be great to have Ferdi and Michael at the championships,’ Ginny said.
