ONE of three Olympic rookies in the squad of five, Clare Abbott is from Hillsborough in Co Down and represented Ireland at the World Equestrian Games in 2014. A part-time maths teacher, 29-year-old Clare events seven horses from her home base and has competed Euro Prince (Sparky) throughout his career.

She receives strong support from her family and also her partner Neil Dickson, who is a farrier by trade. Neil is a valuable asset to the team and his shoeing of Euro Prince has twice been rewarded by the coveted ‘Best Shod’ award at Badminton Horse Trials.

Euro Prince, who heads to Rio on the back of some very consistent form, is owned and bred by long-term supporter Dr Cormac McKay. He is by McKay’s stallion Lougheries Quiet Man, whose own sire, High Scope (ridden by Trevor Smith) represented Ireland in Sydney back in 2000.

Euro Prince (ISH) – 2003 gelding by Lougheries Quiet Man out of Miss Tullydraw. Breeder: Cormac McKay (Armagh).