THREE top Irish dressage riders were honoured with FEI Gold Badges of Honour, awarded at a special ceremony at the prestigious London Olympia Show yesterday (Tuesday).

The Badges of Honour recognises the athlete's performance for Ireland on the international stage.

The three Irish riders honoured were Judy Reynolds, Anna Merveldt and Heike Holstein. All received the Gold FEI Badge of Honour. All three have competed for Ireland at Olympic Games as well at World Equestrian Games level.

They were among 14 riders to receive Gold Badges for dressage while 10 received Silver and another six Bronze.

Attending the FEI ceremony was Horse Sport Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy and chairman of Dressage Ireland Joe Reynolds.

Horse Sport Ireland said in a statement that HSI was delighted to see "these extraordinary athletes being honoured for their wonderful commitment to Irish dressage."

Meanwhile, in attendance for the announcement of the High Performance Programme for Dressage and Para Dressage were Amanda Renouard, High Performance Director (interim), Anne Marie Dunphy and Dara Kearney, High Performance Committee members. Dressage athletes attending were Belinda Brereton, James Connor, Kate Dwyer, Heike Holstein, Anna Merveldt, Annie Rawlins, Dane Rawlins, Judy Reynolds and Roland Tong. Para athletes attending included James Dwyer, Kate Kerr-Horan and Kathryn Gallagher.

This was the first ever ‘High Performance Programme’ meeting for Irish Dressage and Para-dressage. James Dwyer was appointed rider representative.

Amanda Renouard said: “The programme is aimed at Ireland’s elite riders who have shown talent and good results at international competitions. The programme will be tailored to support and develop both existing Grand Prix riders and those coming through the ranks with goals such as fielding teams at 2018 Nations Cup events, The World Equestrian Games and ultimately representation at the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.”