Watch the moment Ireland’s Olympic showjumping hopes were knocked off course

Switzerland and Spain took the other two Olympics qualifying slots on offer for those not already qualified.

After both Bertram Allen (Molly Malone V) and Greg Broderick (MHS Going Global) had respectively faulted at the wavy black planks at four and the convex plank at nine, both verticals, Cian O’Connor appeared on course to go clear with Good Luck.

It was farcical and O’Connor was obviously distracted, with the result he knocked the next fence.

O’Connor could be seen pointing as he exited the arena, and the Irish team were understandably furious as had the fence not gone down, Ireland would have secured qualification. Britain finished just 0.760 penalties adrift of Switzerland in third.

This could include a visit to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but the spokesman could not confirm this.

There were no such issues for Britain, though, and they will now head to Rio next August ready to defend the Olympic title won at Greenwich Park three years ago.

“As regards the incident where an arena official ran in front of Cian O’Connor, causing interference, we will be pursuing this through all appeals mechanisms available to us within the rules of the worldwide governing body, the Federation Equestre Internationale”. It is understood that Irish officials lodged an immediate protest.

O’Connor declined to comment last night.

“Under Article 233.3 of the FEI Jumping Rules, the athlete had the opportunity to stop voluntarily due to unforeseen circumstances beyond his control, however he did not do so”.

“My chef d’equipe [Robert Splaine] has filed an objection”.

“As a result, the appeal committee rejected the appeal and upheld the ground jury decision”.

There were mental scenes in Germany today when a steward may have cost Ireland a spot in the Olympic showjumping event in 2016.