An eventing team of at least three riders and two individual showjumping riders will represent Ireland at the London Olympics followingconfirmation of the allocation of places today (Friday) by theInternational Governing Body for equestrian sport.
While Ireland’s two show jumpers will compete as individuals, the threeeventing riders will compete as a team in the team competition.
In addition, Ireland has secured the first and the third positions onthe waiting list for eventing.
This gives Ireland a chance of increasingits representation in eventing up to the maximum of five riders if anyof the 75 qualifiers are unable to compete at the games.
Ireland has also secured the second waiting list position in dressage.
Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh said
“With the Olympics on our doorstep it is vital that Irish equestriansport is well represented at the games but it is even more importantthat we bring credit to the country while we are there. We cannot have arepeat of the occurrences in show jumping at the last two Olympics whenthe reputation of our country was tarnished,” he said.
“We are working very closely with the OCI to ensure that every possiblepractical measure is taken to avoid any issues in London,” he explained.
“I want to thank the riders who secured these places for Ireland, theirowners and support teams, HSI’s Team Managers and coaches, our affiliatebodies and particularly the Irish Sports Council, who continued to backour sport despite disappointments along the way,” he said.