Caitriona Murphy

THREE Irish riders have been selected for the prestigious Rolex Young Rider Academy Team 2016.

The trio – Jack Dodd, Eoin McMahon and Michael Duffy – are joined in the 11-strong squad of top European riders by Irish girl Emma O’Dwyer, who now rides under the British flag.

They were part of a group of 28 talented riders selected by their national federations and assessed by a selection panel consisting of Emile Hendrix, Dirk Demeersmann, Jean-Maurice Bonneau, Otto Becker and Sven Holmberg.

All riders competed at either the Arezzo Toscana Tour or at Redefin in northern Germany in April and were judged on their riding ability, horses, attitude and dedication to training.

Five riders have been selected for the Roloex academy’s full programme, which includes training with some of the best riders in the world - Kevin Staut, Ludger Beerbaum, Dietmar Gugler, Rolf Göran Bengtsson, Jos Lansink, Marcus Ehning and Gerco Schröder.

Dodd, McMahon and British-based O’Dwyer impressed enough to secure places on the full program, and they will receive six months of training and boarding at a top stable, as well as training in communication, business, veterinary and legal issues related to show jumping.

Duffy, from Co Galway, secured a place in the education program, which offers academic training and Young Rider Academy support during the jumping season.

The Riders Academy, was set up by to assist in training show jumping young talents and prepare them to become future professionals in the sport.