Kyle hoping to make mark at the Olympics Newcastle native selected
ON Thursday last Newcastle native Mark Kyle was selected for the Irish Eventing Team travelling to Brazil to compete in the Olympic Games. These will Kyle’s third Games having represented Ireland in 2004 in Athens and in 2012 in London.
In London Kyle was instrumental in Ireland’s fifth place finish as he saved the team from an early elimination.
This year the Irish team will aim to go at least two steps better and win a medal.
Kyle’s father John reacted to his selection by saying:
“We’re delighted, it’s a great achievement. There were a good few in the running for the squad but he got through which is great. He’s the only one of the team with experience of the Olympics.”
Brazil will bring its own challenges according to John. “It’s not ideal from a horse point of view. A brand new course has been built and it’s like going into the unknown. The weather will be a factor.”
Mark was born and reared in Newcastle but has called Leicestershire, England home for well over a decade. John explained that all of the top riders from around the world base themselves in England and travelling over and back by ferry each weekend was proving difficult and expensive.
John has hopes that the Irish squad can do well, but says there are never any certainties when horses are involved. “Anything can happen, it’s a bit of a lottery. Sometimes the favourite doesn’t always win. We’re hopeful for a medal.
“The team qualified through the World Games, only the top six qualified which showed our standard. They’re a good squad with lots of experience and they are training hard.”
Eventing is one of the earlier competitions at the Olympics, with it all taking place between August 6th and 9th at the Olympic Equestrian Centre.