Tipperary show jumper Greg Broderick has been named as Ireland's sole representative for the Rio Olympics.
The news, released on Wednesday morning by Horse Sport Ireland, has come as a surprise as Bertram Allen (ranked tenth in the World) was widely expected to take Ireland's sole spot.
Ireland team manager Robert Splaine revealed the reasons for picking Broderick and his horse MHS Going Global ahead of higher ranked combinations.
"Greg Broderick and MHS Going Global have been outstanding contributors for Ireland in Nations Cups and have been consistent clear round jumpers at 5 star level. Their performance last weekend in St. Gallen, Switzerland where they jumped a double clear in the Nations Cup to help Ireland to victory, and followed that up with two clear rounds in the Grand Prix, shows they are a combination at the very top of their form."
HSI SJ Team Manager R Splaine has nominated G Broderick & MHS Going Global (ISH) to OCI to represent Ire at Rio pic.twitter.com/gTR2fQ3OLV
— Team IRL Equestrian (@TeamIRLEq) June 8, 2016
In April, Horse Sport Ireland published their selection criteria for the event with form being at the top of the list. "1. Present form of the horse and athlete up to the date of selection. 2. Past performance (s) of the horse and athlete"
Horse Sport Ireland make it clear that "the primary aim of this selection criteria is to select the athlete and horse combination (s) to represent Ireland which will deliver the best possible result at the Summer Olympic Games in Rio 2016 in the equestrian discipline of Jumping."
Broderick's recent performances have pushed the 31-year-old to the top of the list, primarily based on his recent form.
Ireland have the opportunity top increase their team in Brazil, as they host the first reserve in the individual and team competitions. Allen and his horse Molly Malone V have been named as one of the reserves along with Cian O'Connor and Good Luck, along with Denis Lynch and All Star 5.
In London, O'Connor won a bronze medal four years ago in the individual competition.
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