IN a conference room in Blanchardstown on Monday afternoon, all nine equestrian athletes travelling to the Paris Olympic Games in less than two weeks, gathered to officially collect their accreditation, try on their team kit, get official photos taken and talk to the press.

That was followed by the FEI publishing the list of ‘definite entries’ for the Games on Thursday. All the official business out of the way and with most Olympic horses now finished their preparations, Team Ireland are ready to rock.

There was a great ‘buzz’ on Monday, the show jumpers were on a high from Aachen, the eventers had all run the previous day and all finished in the top 10 and dressage rider Abi Lyle was fourth at Hartpury on her final outing. Three of the nine are making their Olympic debut – Lyle, Susie Berry and Daniel Coyle – so for them, it was extra special to receive that accreditation and kit for the very first time.

I too received my media accreditation for Paris on Monday and, like the athletes getting the call-up, it is the pinnacle for any sports journalist to report on an Olympic Games.

On Monday evening, the show jumping team travelled to Kilkenny for ‘A Night with the Stars’ and huge credit to the organisers, who pulled off an amazing night for those in the room and at home, thanks to live coverage which was sponsored by Showjumping Ireland. The night in aid of the Jack de Bromhead National Equine Centre raised close to €15,000 for Child Vision. You can read about the night on pages 79 and hear from Henry de Bromhead on page 86.

We have launched a new podcast series on the countdown to Paris, you can check it out on The Irish Field channel on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. This week we spoke about the logistics with Bernard Jackman and the three high performance directors.

And while the Olympics appeal to some, we are acutely aware that others are more interested in the grassroots and this week’s paper has the latest Pony Club news, as well as the last of the RDS working hunter and native qualifier reports, plus reports from Maryville in show jumping and The Clare and Ballindenisk in eventing. While the showing fans will find reports from Longford, West Clare, Clonmel and more!

Don’t forget that our Dublin Horse Show Magazine is now on sale via The Irish Field website (www.theirishfield.ie/shop) or in Dunnes, Easons and some other newsagents.

Breeder frustration

There is ongoing frustration this week that Horse Sport Ireland’s new passporting system is still not up and running, despite a promise of a mid-June launch date. Now a month later, breeders have been in contact to portray their frustration, but also their fear over how the issues have begun to affect their livelihood. One breeder put pen to paper on the adjoining page.