Eight Irish combinations nominated for 2023 FEI European Dressage Championships in Riesenbeck

Horse Sport Ireland Dressage High Performance Director Anne Marie Dunphy. Photo: Sportsfile

A record eleven Irish combinations met the qualification criteria for the upcoming championships

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) has confirmed the horse and rider combinations nominated for the 2023 European Dressage Championship in Riesenbeck, Germany, from their long list.

Eleven combinations have met the qualification criteria for the upcoming Europeans – the highest number of Irish athletes ever to do so for a championship – and HSI Dressage High Performance Director Anne Marie Dunphy has named the nominated eight entries as follows;

• Jennifer Harnett (based in Amsterdam) with Pilates Amsterdam’s Eximio (by Zircon).
• Sorrell Klatzko (Co. Kildare) with her own and Janine Shoffner’s Turbo (by Totilas).
• Abigail Lyle (Co. Down) with Fenella Quinn’s Farrell (by Fabergas) and with her own and Caroline Clarry’s Giraldo (by Harmony’s Rousseau).
• Anna Merveldt (Co. Kildare) with Mario Greco and Giovanna Mazza’s Esporim (by Pagaw).
• Fenella Quinn (based in Aberdeen) with her own, Compton Ross and Jacqui Ross’s Hawtins Delicato (by Diamond Hit).
• Judy Reynolds (Co. Kildare) with her own and Patrick Heavey’s For Fun 51 (by Furstenball OLD) and BG J. Hinnemann & Next Generation Dressurpferde’s Rockman Royal NG (by Rock Forever).
  

  Abigail Lyle pictured at the FEI World Dressage Championship in Herning 2022

Also long listed for Ireland having achieved the qualification criteria:

• Carolyn Mellor (Co. Down) with her own Gouverneur M (by Voice).
• Dane Rawlins (based in Sussex) with his own and Greg Powell’s Espoire (by Ehrenmann).
• Judy Reynolds (Co. Kildare) with Wejdan Majed A M AL Malki’s Faisao (by Spartacus).

Dunphy said: “I’m delighted to be in the position that we have this many athletes qualified for the championship. It shows the increased strength and depth of Irish dressage and I’m really looking forward to Riesenbeck.”

The final squad of four to represent Ireland in Riesenbeck next month, plus non-travelling reserves, will be announced ahead of the definite entries.