Ireland to begin legal proceedings over Cian O’Connor incident that ruined Olympic hopes

Interesting times ahead.

The bitter taste hasn't gone away after the incredible incident that robbed our showjumping team of a place at the Olympics next year. Cian O'Connor missed out on automatic qualification by by just 0.380 of a penalty, after a steward inexplicably ran out in front of his horse as he competed at an Olympic qualifying event in Aachen. Ireland immediately appealed the result, but that appeal was thrown out. However this evening reports are emerging that Horse Sport Ireland are planning legal action against the sport's governing body, the International Equestrian Federation, over the incident. O'Connor was distraught afterwards, and it is yet unclear on what basis Ireland will have for appealing to the FEI, but any legal case is likely to be dealt with by a special tribunal. If this process fails the HRI will also have the option of taking a case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. H/T RTE