EQUESTRIAN/NewsIreland's eventers, like their show jumping counterparts, who do battle at the European championships in Germany this week, have Olympic qualification as their main goal this season. In response to the challenge, Eventing Ireland's senior selectors yesterday named a group of 18 riders and 19 horses, to be whittled down to just 12, for next month's IFG European three-day event championships at Punchestown.

Chairman of selectors John Lyttle said: "I've been very lucky, I've had no handbrake put on finances. It's a must-do to qualify for the Olympics."

As host country, Ireland is allowed a full complement of 12 riders, with other nations restricted to just six runners, but places will be strongly contested amongst the Irish, with six horses named yesterday as the chief candidates for the team of four.

Heading that list is the giant grey Don't Step Back, which Trish Donegan rode to 10th place at Badminton in the spring and seventh at the Scottish three-star in Thirlestane last weekend. Also named are Kilnadeema Star (Jane O'Flynn), Kings Highway (Edmond Gibney), Just Beauty Queen (Sue Shortt), LA Temple Bar (Sherelle Duke) and Lorgaine (Niall Griffin).

Trevor Smith has been named as first team reserve with Dunrath Hill and the selectors have listed five other individuals to make up the full 12. Those five are Horseware Fabio (Austin O'Connor), Cregwarrior (Jonty Evans), Wee Hot Toddy (Becky George), Drunken Disorderly (Mark Kyle) and All Love Du Fenaud (Sasha Harrison).

A further seven combinations have been nominated as reserve individuals. They are Braveheart (Jane O'Flynn), Old Road (Michael Ryan), Allora Coin (Frances Younghusband), Eggor McGreggor (Alex Hynds), The Irish One (Jayne Harrison), Macloud (Eric Smiley) and Sportsfield Iceman (Carol Gee).

Jayne Harrison, who broke a collarbone in a fall at Thirlestane, flew to Germany yesterday to a see a specialist in Hamburg. She is due to undergo surgery this week.

The top six start a fortnight of intensive training at Waterside Stud in Balrath, Co Meath on Friday. The training, which will also be made available to individual candidates, has been funded jointly by the Irish Sports Council high performance grant, reserves in the senior selection committee fund and through monies raised from application fees for international travel.

The final 12 will be announced after the one-day event at Annaharvey on September 7th.