High Performance Programme for Dressage and Para-Dressage announced for 2018 and FEI Badges of Honour awarded at The London International Horse Show, Olympia 2017

  • 14 December 2017, 09:04

Horse Sport Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy travelled to The London International Horse Show in Olympia yesterday, Tuesday 12th December 2017, for the announcement of the High Performance programme for Dressage and Para Dressage. In attendance were Amanda Renouard, High Performance Director (interim), Anne Marie Dunphy and Dara Kearney, High Performance Committee members. Dressage athletes attending the announcement were Belinda Brereton, James Connor, Kate Dwyer, Heike Holstein, Anna Merveldt, Annie Rawlins, Dane Rawlins, Judy Reynolds and Roland Tong. Para athletes in attendance were James Dwyer, Kate Kerr-Horan and Kathryn Gallagher.

High Performance Programme

This was the first ever ‘High Performance Programme’ meeting for Irish Dressage and Para-dressage. At the announcement, James Dwyer was appointed rider representative. Speaking about the High Performance programme, Amanda Renouard said: “The programme is aimed at Ireland’s elite riders who have shown talent and good results at international competitions. The programme will be tailored to support and develop both existing Grand Prix riders and those coming through the ranks with goals such as fielding teams at 2018 Nations Cup events, The World Equestrian Games and ultimately representation at the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.”

Dressage FEI Badges of Honour

The Badges of Honour recognises the athlete’s performances for Ireland on the international stage. The three riders that received the Badges of Honour were Heike Holstein, Anna Merveldt and Judy Reynolds. All riders received the Gold FEI Badge of Honour.

FEI Gold, Silver and Bronze Badges of Honour are awarded by The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), to riders who have been among the fifteen best in the Grand Prix at a CDIO as well as participation in the Grand Prix Special and the Grand Prix Freestyle at a CDIO, the Olympic Games, the World Equestrian Games and the Europeans Championships.

Horse Sport Ireland are delighted to see these extraordinary athletes being honoured for their wonderful commitment to Irish Dressage. All three athletes have competed for Ireland at the Olympic Games as well as at the World Equestrian Games.

Pictured L-R: Ronan Murphy (Horse Sport Ireland CEO), Judy Reynolds, Heike Holstein, Anna Merveldt, receiving their FEI Badges of Honour, and Joe Reynolds (Chairman of Dressage Ireland)

About the Dressage FEI Badges of Honour

FEI Gold, Silver and Bronze Badges of Honour are awarded by The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), to riders who have been among the fifteen best in the Grand Prix at a CDIO as well as participation in the Grand Prix Special and the Grand Prix Freestyle at a CDIO, the Olympic Games, the World Equestrian Games and the Europeans Championships.

FEI Badges of Honour for Dressage are awarded to those athletes who have been among the fifteen best in the Grand Prix at a CDIO:
In fourteen CDIO –          Gold Badge
In ten CDIO –                  Silver Badge
In six CDIO –                   Bronze Badge

  • Participation in the Grand Prix Special (FEI Championship Formula) at a CDIO is equal to two CDIOs.
  • Participation in the Grand Prix Special or Grand Prix Freestyle (Nations Cup Formula) at a CDIO is equal to two CDIOs.
  • Participation in the Grand Prix Special at the FEI European Championships, World Championships and the Olympic Games and participation in the Grand Prix Freestyle (FEI Championship Formula) at a CDIO is equal to three CDIOs.
  • Participation in the Grand Prix Freestyle at FEI European Championships, World Equestrian Games, the FEI World Cup Dressage Final and the Olympic Games is equal to four CDIOs.

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