The Irish horses, including two reserve mounts, go into quarantine to ensure they do not carry any infectious diseases with them to the Olympic equestrian facility at Hong Kong.
Over 40 Eventing horses from different nations will be quarantined at Aachen, and there are other Olympic quarantine stations situated in different parts of the world.
Horse Sport Ireland High Performance Coach Ginny Elliott, herself a four-time Olympic medallist, said today: ‘ Quarantine is a unique situation, and with the riders facing the biggest competition of their lives in two or three weeks’ time, it can be very unsettling for them and their horses, some of whom will not have not experienced quarantine before.’
After Aachen the team will travel to Amsterdam, Holland from where they will fly to Hong Kong. Four of the Irish horses have never flown before.
The Irish Three Day Event team is captain Geoff Curran with Kilkishen and Balladeer Alfred; Niall Griffin with Lorgaine; Louise Lyons with Watership Down; Austin O’Connor with Hobby Du Mee, and Patricia Ryan with Fernhill Clover Mist. Reserve is Sacha Pemble with I’ve Been Dun.
