HORSE Sport Ireland has announced a number of changes in the Senior Eventing High Performance Programme. Show Jumping coach Michael Quirke is unable to continue in his role due to increased international commitments with his own horses and Ian Fearon will take over the role for 2011. Ferdi Eilberg will continue as Dressage coach.

High Performance Manager Ginny Elliot said that while she was disappointed that Michael could not continue in the role she was looking forward to working with Ian Fearon

“Ian has had huge success at underage level and when it became apparent that Michael would not be able to give the commitment Ian was the obvious choice. I am also very pleased that Ferdi will be the dressage coach again this year,” she said.

“I would very much like to thank Michael Quirke for the work he did over the last two years. He was a huge asset to the programme and I know he will be missed by the management and the riders,” she said.

It has also been confirmed that Jean Mitchell and Jessica Harrington have been appointed as programme advisors in a voluntary capacity.

“I am delighted that Jean and Jessica have come on board as they have huge experience and have already brought great insights to the programme,” she said.

Other changes to the programme include an increased emphasis on veterinary support for horses on the squad and a move away from collective training days towards providing riders with bursaries for training with the team trainers.

The goal for the team this year is to qualify for the London Olympic Games through the European Championships which take place in Luhmuhlen Germany from August 25th to 28th. In order to qualify, Ireland has to finish in the top two of the countries who have not already qualified. Great Britain, Germany and Belguim have already secured places at the games. However, there is also the possibility of qualifying a team through the FEI Olympic rankings which is how the team qualified for the Games in 2008.

A number of combinations have been placed on a provisional squad but this will be continually reviewed based on performances at three and four star level in 2011.

Aoife Clark:​Master Crusoe and Vaguely North
Capt Geoff Curran: ​The Jump Jet
Jayne Doherty: The Only One and Ravenstar
Ciarán Glynn​: Killossery Kruisita and Don’t Tell Punch
Mark Kyle:​Nitetime Cavalier and Step in Time
Louise Lyons: Murphy’s Miracle
Joseph Murphy: ​Electric Cruise
Jim Newsam​: Magennis
Liz Power: ​Kilpatrick River
Camilla Spiers: ​Portersize Just A Jiff
Sam Watson: ​Horseware Bushman

Ms Elliot concluded by calling on eventing supporters in Ireland to get behind the team.

“Everybody was very disappointed that we narrowly missed out on Olympic qualification at the world equestrian games. However, there has been a huge increase in the number of Irish combinations competing at three and four star level over the last two years. Olympic qualification is still very much attainable and I would call on everyone involved to get behind the team and the riders,” she said.

Ian Fearon