Judith Faherty

NICK Turner is a man on a mission - to bring home eventing medals for Ireland from Rio.

The Eventing High Performance Manager believes that the Irish eventing team that will be picked in June to travel to Rio will have a very real chance at the Olympics.

“Keeping the horses fit and healthy is the key things. As we get closer to Rio, what other teams are doing and how they are shaping up is immaterial.

“We will be focusing on what we are doing; it’s the little things you do that make the difference. If you don’t have a goal, you are never going to get there. I believe we are so close to a medal with the strength of the riders we have and I would love to be part of that,” said Turner.

Fundraising is taking place to bring the fifth horse to Rio and on that issue, Turner is again emphatic. “We have great sponsors and support from the OCI and the Sports Council but there is no compromise. We have to bring a fifth horse with us when you are travelling that far. So we are raising the extra funds needed for that ourselves. The riders will be raising money via course walks at Badminton and we will be doing a huge push at Tattersalls International Horse Trials (June 1st-5th) and we are confident that we will get the money we need to take the fifth horse with us,” said Turner.

On hand at Abbotstown was Galway’s Cathal Daniels (19).

“I am confident of my chances. Rioghan Rua has an impeccable record for such a small little mare, and she has so much blood and so much fire in her.

“I think she would handle the pressure no problem in Rio, so we will keep our head down and keep working but hopefully when it comes to it I will be hoping to get the call for Rio.”

Joseph Murphy, is excited about the pressure and buzz Rio will bring, should he be one of the travelling four. “Luckily for me, I am very level headed but that comes with some good points and some bad points. Nobody can explain what the pressure is. It’s unbelievable, it’s something that I really love about the sport, when you are at the top of your game and the pressure comes on - then you know you’re doing something well.”

Murphy spent some time training with Michael Jung in Germany at the beginning of the year and says the selection process will not bother him in his preparation.

“I am really happy with how my horse is going, he has been competing at this level for two years and is very consistent. Nick has set out targets for us and it’s up to us to meet those targets and whoever Nick feels has the best chance of winning a medal will get the nod.

“In my head I’m not worrying about the selection for Rio, I’m worrying about a medal! That is my focus, what happens on the way will happen but all I am thinking about is the medal.”

English-based Aoife Clark finished fifth at the three-star international event in Belton last weekend on Fernhill Adventure, a horse she feels has no weak link. “Fernhill Adventure went brilliant for me at Belton – he did a 36% dressage, which is our best to date and jumped a double clear. I think he’s the most talented horse I’ve ever ridden. He has always been incredibly competitive.”

Speaking about London 2012, Clark added: “The London Olympics totally changed my career, it was my first championships. It made a huge difference – people sat up and took notice of me and it really gave me the confidence going forward to believe that we can do it. We were really close to getting a medal in London.”