HORSE Sport Ireland’s High Performance Manager Ginny Elliot has confirmed that she will announce the final five combinations to travel to the World Equestrian Games after the Highclere event in the UK which takes place on August 30th.

Ms. Elliot also announced that she was adding Jayne Doherty and 'The Only One' and Capt Geoff Curran and 'The Jump Jet' to the squad.

“I made it clear in the original announcement that I reserved the right to add combinations to the squad. While I currently see these two combinations as being in 7th and 8th position I have made it clear to the other six riders that they could move ahead of any of the original six combinations if I am not completely happy with their form at Highclere or indeed at final team training before we leave for Liege to fly to Kentucky,” she said.

“While Jayne and 'The Only One' have not yet competed at four star level they have been performing outstandingly at three star level this season and the CCI in Bramham where they finished in the top ten was very strong,” she explained.

“Geoff and 'The Jump Jet' did not finish as high up as hoped at this year's Rolex in Kentucky but the combination has completed three four star events and I was impressed with how they went at Hartpury last weekend,” she said.

Ms. Elliot said that all of the combinations would be expected to compete at Highclere unless expressly excused. The horses will also be examined by the Team Vet Marcus Swail after the event and before Ms. Elliot announces her final five combinations.

“While I realise the final decision will be quite late I want to be as sure as possible that we have five fit horses who are at the top of their form in Kentucky and try to secure Olympic qualification for London 2012,” she said.

The full squad in alphabetical order, from which five combinations will be chosen is:

Capt Geoff Curran; The Jump Jet
Jayne Doherty; The Only One
Mark Kyle; Step in Time
Liz Power; Kilpatrick River
Michael Ryan; Ballylynch Adventure
Patricia Ryan; Fernhill Clover Mist
Camilla Speirs; Portersize Just a Jiff
Sam Watson; Horseware Bushman
 

Ginny Elliot