Ireland To Have Dressage Team At 2014 Alltech World Equestrian Games

Ireland is set to have a full team of four riders at the 2014 Altech World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Normandy, France. There are now five combinations qualified.

The Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland's High Performance committee Joan Keogh said that it was very positive development that five riders had met the WEG qualification standard.

"Together with having a pony team at European Championships this year we hope that having a team at WEG will give increased exposure to dressage in Ireland and encourage more young people to take up the sport," she said.

The five combinations who have met the standard are:
James Connor - Casino Royal
Anna Merveldt - Vancouver
Dane Rawlins - Sydney
Judy Reynolds - Vancouver K
Roland Tong - Pompidou

Horse Sport Ireland recently advertised for a Chef d'Equipe for the team and following interviews last week Amanda Renouard has been appointed as the Chef d'Equipe for the games.

Ms Renouard is an experienced marketer who specialises in equestrianism and has expertise working at many international shows across the globe and in representing athletes. A freelance journalist, now based in France, she also runs a small stud, breeding dressage horses.

Speaking after the appointment Horse Sport Ireland's Equestrian Sport Co-ordinator Triona Connors said:

"Amanda has excellent organisational skills and a deep knowledge of the sport. We are delighted that Amanda has taken on the role and we look forward to working with her."

Speaking on her appointment, Amanda Renouard said: "It is an exciting prospect for Ireland to have a dressage team for WEG 2014, with combinations that have a solid future ahead of them. I am honoured to be appointed Chef d'Equipe and look forward to working with the team and Horse Sport Ireland."

Horse Sport Ireland's Dressage High Performance committee will meet next week to select the four combinations to represent Ireland at the games.