HORSE Sport Ireland's eventing team manager Nick Turner today announced his Olympic squad for Rio.

They are: Clare Abbott with Europrince (ISH), 2003 chesnut gelding by Lougheries Quiet Man (UNK) out of Miss Tullydraw. (UNK). Breeder & Owner: Dr Cormac McKay.

Jonty Evans with Cooley Rorke’s Drift (ISH), 2006 gelding by Courage II out of Doon-A-Ree-Lass, by Rachelle Comet. Breeder: William McCarrison Owner: Fiona Elliot & Jonty Evans.

Mark Kyle with Jemilla, (SHBGB). 2006 bay mare by Mill Law out of Jessica XIX by Louella Moschallah. Owner: Shelagh & Richard Morley.

Padraig McCarthy with either Simon Porloe (PZHK) 2000 bay gelding by Sofix out of Babilonia by Czubaryk. Owner: Christopher & Sarita Perkins or Bernadette Utopia, (KWPN) 2006 Bay mare by Colandro out of Ursela Utopia by Odermus R, Owners: the late Caroline Creighton, Pearl Chaffe, the late Hendrik Wiegersma, Padraig & Lucy McCarthy

Travelling reserve: Camilla Speirs with Portersize Just A Jiff (ISH) 2000 bay gelding by Crosskeys Rebel (CP) out of Mizen Talent (ISH), by Mizen Melody (TB). Breeder: Philip GL White, Co. Derry. Owner: Bridget & Camilla Speirs.

There was disappointment for Galway's Cathal Daniels (19), Austin O'Connor and British-based Aoife Clark who were not among the nominees.

Nick Turner said: “This has been a very difficult decision to make as there have been an impressive number of combinations who have produced some fantastic results to date. We will be fielding a very competitive squad in Rio. I would like to thank all of the owners that made their horses available for selection. We will be working hard over the next 57 days in the lead up to the Summer Olympic Games in Rio to content for a podium finish.”

OUR SQUAD IN RIO:

Clare Abbott (29) is based at Hillsborough in Northern Ireland. She finished ninth in the CCI**** in Pau, France, in 2015 competed at 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France and the 2013 European Championships in Malmo, Sweden.

Jonty Evans (44) and is based in Britain. He finished third at Tattersalls International Horse Trials CIC*** last weekend.

Mark Kyle (42) and is based in Britain. He competed at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and London 2012 where the Irish team finished fifth. He also competed at the 1998 World Equestrian Games in Rome and 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

Padraig McCarthy (38) is Tipperary and based in Britain. He was the winner of the CIC*** class at Tattersalls International Horse Trials and the recent CIC*** at Chatsworth in the UK.