EIGHT Irish riders have been accepted for entry in next month’s top-ranked Badminton Horse Trials in England.

Badminton is regarded as the biggest three-day event in the sport, and is broadcast live every year on BBC television.

The Irish combinations who have been accepted are:
Step in Time; Mark Kyle
Pocket Rocket; Austin O’Connor
I've Been Dun; Sacha Pemble
Kilpatrick River; Elizabeth Power
Old Road; Michael Ryan
Fernhill Clover Mist; Patricia Ryan
Portersize Just A Jiff; Camilla Speirs
Horseware Bushman; Sam Watson

The Badminton ballot is based on the number of FEI points a horse has won at three and four-star level over the past two years.

Five other Irish combinations are on the waiting list for the event, which takes place from April 30-May 3.

Horse Sport Ireland’s Eventing High Performance Manager Ginny Elliot said she was delighted that so many Irish combinations had made both lists.

“With WEG (World Equestrian Games) being a four-star competition we need to see as many combinations as possible at that level, and Badminton is a real test for horse and rider,” she said.

"Hopefully all the combinations will go well in their warm-up events in the weeks ahead and all the horses stay sound.”

Last year two Irish riders competed at Badminton, Elizabeth Power on 'Kilpatrick River' and Sam Watson on 'Horseware Bushman'.