Record Irish entry in Badminton

A record number of Irish riders will line out this weekend at one of the world's top three-day Events, Britain's four-star Badminton, the biggest paid-in sports event in the UK, with over a quarter of a million spectators expected on the cross country course.

Six riders will take part from Ireland, including Jayne Doherty with Art Attack (ISH), Niall Griffin with Lorgaine (ISH), Austin O'Connor with Hobby du Mee, Michael Owen with King Bob, Michael Ryan with Old Road (ISH), and Sarah Wardell with Kincluny

The dressage phase start today followed by cross-country on Saturday and finishing on Sunday with the show jumping phase.

Horse Sport Ireland's high performance coach, the four-time Olympic medallist Ginny Elliott said today: "It is very encouraging to see how many Irish riders have qualified for this top world event, and we are really looking forward to the action getting under way today."