Olympic places for Ireland in three day eventing

Horse Sport Ireland is delighted to confirm that the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) has today allotted Ireland a maximum of five places in Three Day Eventing for the 2008 Olympics at Hong Kong.

Horse Sport Ireland’s Eventing High Performance Coach Ginny Elliot said that she was very pleased to see how the achievements by Irish riders in the individual World Rankings had finally secured Olympic places for Ireland.

However, she added it had been made clear to the riders that combinations will only be nominated to the Olympic Council of Ireland if it is considered that they will be in contention at Olympic level.

"Now that we have secured the places we must be sure that if we send riders they will be competitive when they get there," she said.

She also said that, in line with FEI rules, it would be those who would have the best chance in Hong Kong who would be selected and not necessarily those who secured the qualification places.

Horse Sport Ireland has scheduled a meeting for May 11, in Chatsworth, England, to reach a final decision on the matter.