Ireland’s eventing pony riders lifted double gold and a bronze medal at the European Championships in Fontainebleau, France, yesterday to crown a magnificent weekend for Irish equestrian sport.

Nobody, with due respect to dressage rider Anna Merveldt, would expect her to win a medal in the Olympics... least of all herself.

Ireland eventing high performance manager Ginny Elliot yesterday stressed the importance of Barbury Horse Trials as she makes her final deliberations regarding her Olympic selection.

SHOWJUMPINGIRELAND (SJI) chairman Christy Murphy has visited Ennis to inspect the showgrounds following the decision of the organisation’s executive to cancel the national championships, which were scheduled to take place at the Clare venue at the end of August.