The Olympics always captures the attention of the sporting world and shines a light on individuals that work just as hard as those in the biggest TV sports but with a fraction of the attention.
Horse Sport Ireland held a media day at the National Horse Sport Arena at the National Sport Campus this week with the purpose being to introduce some of those who might shine in the summer to a wider audience.
Ireland has qualified seven Equestrian places for Rio 2016, including a full team of four Eventing riders, individual Show Jumping and Dressage riders, along with securing one Paralympic place.
Equestrian, Boxing, and after the event Race Walking were the only sports in which Ireland won an Olympic medal at London 2012 and with its current group of riders regularly winning at the highest level, Equestrian sport provides a realistic medal hope again at Rio.
The eventing team finished fifth four years ago and is looking to step up off the back of good form around Europe already this season.
While Ireland controversially failed to qualify a full Show Jumping team, one individual place has been secured. That is up for grabs between the likes of Bertram Allen, Greg Broderick, Denis Lynch and Cian O’Connor.
In Dressage, Kildare’s Judy Reynolds recently finished eighth in the World Cup final against the top riders in the world. Ireland has also qualified one Paralympic athlete for Rio. Helen Kearney won two individual medals and a team medal in London. Kearney and her Paralympic teammates got off to a good start in 2016, by finishing third in the first Para Dressage Nations Cup of the season in France recently.
Horse Sport Ireland intends to announce the Irish Equestrian athletes they will recommend to the Olympic Council of Ireland, in the week beginning June 7th.
Horse Sport Ireland also used the occasion to unveil to the Irish media, a new campaign being rolled out by the International Governing Body, The FEI, to promote equestrian sport globally in the lead up to Rio. The campaign is called ‘Two Hearts’ which focuses on the unique bond between horse and rider.
