Merveldt likely to represent Ireland in dressage at Olympics
Merveldt had secured second place on the reserve list, but this has proved sufficient as Colombia can, at most, take up just one of its three slots, which it earned as bronze medallist at the Pan American Games in Mexico, last October.
Merveldt, who rode the 16-year-old gelding Coryolano to seventh place in the grand prix special at the four-star Fritzens-Schndlhof, Austria, yesterday, competed in the Olympics at Barcelona, Spain, in 1992. In last August’s European Championships in Rotterdam she failed to be among the final 30 riders competing for honours.
Merveldt was born in Canada, but reared in Naas, Co Kildare. She has been based near Milan, Italy, since 2007 after spending 25 years in Germany and has acted as official team trainer for the Italian juniors, young riders and pony riders.
Ireland has earned two individual show jumping places at the Olympics through the performances of Billy Twomey and Denis Lynch, though it is up to the manager Robert Splaine to nominate who will line out in London.
In addition, at least three Irish eventing riders will compete in Greenwich, but this could be upped to five, as Ireland holds first and third places on the reserve list. High-performance manager Ginny Elliot has selected a short-list of 10 for the final spotter at Barbury Horse Trials in England at the end of the month. Four riders will also represent Ireland in the Paralympics.
Meanwhile, at the lucrative show in Spruce Meadows, Canada, Sligo native Darragh Kerins pocketed €30,000 when third in the World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix.
The 37-year-old and the OBOS Quality mare Lisona, produced one of only three double clears in the contest to finish behind American Kent Farrington (Uceko) and Canadian runner-up Eric Lamaze (Derly Chin de Muze).
Kilkenny’s Richie Moloney had two down with Ahorn van de Zuuthoeve, but it was good enough to put him fifth, while Jennifer Crooks finished ninth with SF Uryadi following a first-round error.
At the three-star show in Lons le Saunier, France, Dermott Lennon and Ace High Mike four-faulted in the jump-off to come home fourth in the grand prix.
At Vimeiro, Portugal, Galway’s Andrew Bourns was runner-up in the grand prix on Roundthorn Madios. Ireland’s only victory came from Marion Hughes and the Heritage HHS Fortuna in Friday night’s feature class.
In Wierden, the Netherlands, Tipperary pony rider Darragh Ryan piloted Quantum Light to victory in the grand prix with the only first-round clear.
Co Clare’s Tom Foley and Crown Jewel took third as one of the fastest four-faulters.
