Two Irish Sport Horses Confirmed for British Eventing Team, One Confirmed for Canada, Four On Us Short List

Zara Phillips will ride Irish Sport Horse High Kingdom at the three day event at the London Olympic Games. She is joined on the British team by Mary King riding the Irish Sport Horse Imperial Cavalier.

The British team is completed by William Fox-Pitt riding Lionheart, Tina Cooke riding Miners Frolic and Piggy French riding Jakata or DHI Topper W.

Over the weekend it was also confirmed that Kilrodan Abbott and rider Peter Barry had been selected for the Canadian eventing team at the games.

Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh said that the selection of these horses is a great boost for Irish breeding.

"I want congratulate William Micklem, the breeder of High Kingdom, John Brennan, the breeder of Imperial Cavalier and Michael Hogan, breeder of Kilrodan Abbott. It is a great achievement to have bred a horse that is selected for the Olympic Games," he said.

Yesterday also saw the announcement of the USA's eventing short list of 11 combinations from which their team of five will be chosen. Four of the short listed horses are Irish Sport Horses - Loughan Glen (ClarkMontgomery) Mighty Nice (Phillip Dutton), Mr. Medicott (Karen O'Connor) and Ringwood Magister (Tiana Coudray).

The USA will name their team on July 2nd after the Barbury Castle event in the UK. The Irish team will also be announced after the Barbury Castle Event. All eleven horses on the Irish short list are Irish bred.