Ireland qualify for Olympics

IRELAND’S depleted eventing team achieved their goal of qualifying for next year’s Olympics when finishing fourth yesterday at the conclusion of the Failte Ireland/IFG European Championships.

As expected, Britain retained their title denying second-place France a double, as team member Nicolas Touzaint, riding Galan de Sauvagere, carried off the individual gold. Belgium claimed bronze, almost 60 penalties to the good over Ireland.

Ireland’s achievement came at a high price, however, with Horseware Fabio, ridden by Austin O’Connor and owned by Tom and Carol McGuinness, suffering a fatal accident in Saturday’s cross-country. The Corkman was negotiating fence 15, three steps, when the 12-year-old gelding stumbled, hitting his head.