Following the rejection of the Irish appeal on the decision made by the Ground Jury in Aachen last night, Horse Sport Ireland are examining their options after the incident that cost them qualification for the Olympic Games in Rio. A protest was made to the Ground Jury by the Irish Chef d’Equipe Robert Splaine and athlete Cian O’Connor following an on-course incident in which a member of the arena fence crew ran across the track as O’Connor was turning towards the 11th fence during the team final with the horse Good Luck hitting the fence to complete the course on four faults. The Ground Jury ruled that the result would stand, and the Irish appeal to the Appeal Committee did not alter the result either. 

Speaking after the competition Damian McDonald, Horse Sport Ireland CEO said: "We are very proud of the Irish team's performance at the European Championships in Aachen. As regards the incident where an arena official crossed Cian O'Connor and his horse Good Luck's tracks causing interference, we will be examining all of our options provided for within the rules of the International Governing Body the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) including a potential appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)”.

Source: Press releases from Horse Sport Ireland and FEI