A last-ditch attempt to bring Jessica Kürten and Harry Marshall back on to the Irish team for the final of the Samsung Super League has failed to produce any change in the squad for Barcelona.
Entries for the Spanish fixture close today and, with neither Kürten nor Marshall on the original list of nominations, any changes seem unlikely. There did appear to be a softening of the two riders' stance that they would not jump on the team under the current selection procedure.
Informed sources said both would line out for the team in Barcelona even if the selection panel did not resign, but only if chef d'équipe John Ledingham had sole selection rights until a new selection structure is put in place.
But such a move would require rubberstamping by the Show Jumping of Ireland executive, which could not be achieved for today's deadline.
"Yes I will ride if John has control," Marshall said. Kürten was unavailable for comment.
Chairman of selectors Taylor Vard said last night, however: "As far as I'm concerned nothing has changed. We're not intending doing any changes to Barcelona, not with a gun to our heads. But never say never. If they turn around and say we'll come on board and do our negotiating later, then the door is open."