Irish riders will be competing at the international horse trials in Ballindenisk, Co Cork this weekend with a final chance to secure Olympic ranking points.
The home contingent has been split in a bid to maximise this opportunity. Michael Ryan, who heads the Irish rankings, has a trio of horses in the CIC***, including the veteran Old Road, his partner at three European championships and the 2006 World Equestrian Games.
Ryan’s wife Patricia has two rides in this class, as do Jayne Doherty and Camilla Speirs, both in contention for qualification, and the England-based American Julian Stiller.
In the CCI***, the Army Equitation School has three horses listed, by Capt Geoff Curran , along with fellow 2008 Olympians Patricia Ryan and Louise Lyons.
Elizabeth Power competes on September Bliss. Irish riders will face strong opposition from British and New Zealand riders in the CCI*** .
Tina Cook, the reigning Olympic bronze medallist, Oliver Townend and Ian Stark and New Zealand will be represented by former Olympic and World champion Blyth Tait.