EQUESTRIAN:THE IRISH team for the Olympic Games' three-day event in Hong Kong next month was announced by Horse Sport Ireland yesterday and contains three previous Olympians.
Niall Griffin, a member of the team which finished eighth in Athens four years ago, will again represent the country with Lorgaine, while Sydney participants Austin O'Connor and Patricia Ryan return to the line-up.
The newcomers are Army rider Capt Geoff Curran and Suffolk-based Louise Lyons.
Horse Sport Ireland high performance coach Ginny Elliot named her team at Barbury Castle where eight squad riders had been competing over the weekend. There, Curran finished best of the Irish in 21st place on Kilkishen, his winning mount in last month's World Cup qualifier at Tattersalls.
Joining the Cavalier Royale gelding in quarantine in Germany on July 17th will be stable-companion Balladeer Alfred. Curran will decide which horse to ride nearer the Games.
Somerset-based Corkman Austin O'Connor, who rode as an individual at Sydney, has been nominated with the Anglo Arab chestnut Hobby du Mee, at 13, the oldest horse on the team. The youngest is the 11-year-old Andretti-gelding Watership Down who will be partnered by Lyons.
Bandon's Patricia Ryan, who rode Don't Step Back at the 2000 Olympics where the team finished fifth, has been nominated with Carol Henry's Kiltealy Spring 12-year-old Fernhill Clover Mist.
Official reserve is England-based Sacha Pemble, who will put either Hyanie d'Aubrie or her 2006 Punchestown winning mare, I've Been Dun, into quarantine.
Sam Watson (Ballybolger Bushman) and Jayne Doherty (Art Attack) have been placed on a reserve list.
"I have picked the squad based on what I consider to be the best team of horses and riders for the physical and mental challenges they will face in Hong Kong," said Elliot. "Our focus will be on the team competition and I have selected the horses and riders with this in mind."
