Tipperary showjumper Greg Broderick has been selected to represent Ireland at the Olympics.
He was nominated by team manager Robert Splaine ahead of Wexford's Bertram Allen - a surprising decision given Allen's current ranking of number nine in the world.
Splaine says it was a tough decision to make but concedes he based his choice on recent form; "Greg and MHS Going Global (ISH) have been outstanding contributors for Ireland in Nations Cups and have been consistent clear round jumpers at five star level. Their performance last weekend in St. Gallen, Switzerland where they jumped a double clear in the Nations Cup to help Ireland to victory, and followed that up with two clear rounds in the Grand Prix, shows they are a combination at the very top of their form."
Ireland are the first reserves for an individual and team place in Rio and will find out before July 18th if extra places become available.
Splaine has announced three reserve combinations; Bertram Allen and 'Molly Malone', Tipp's Denis Lynch and 'All Star', and former medalist Cian O'Connor and his mount 'Good Luck'.
