Dromore HS teacher is set for the Rio Olympics

Local woman Clare Abbott is set for Rio this summer as she has made it onto Ireland's Eventing team for the Rio Olympics.
Clare Abbott has a big summer ahead. Pic: Matt Impey / SPORTSFILEClare Abbott has a big summer ahead. Pic: Matt Impey / SPORTSFILE
Clare Abbott has a big summer ahead. Pic: Matt Impey / SPORTSFILE

Clare was picked as one of a team of four to compete at what will be her first Olympic Games.

The Dromore High School teacher said: “I found out I had made the team about a fortnight ago. It’s starting to feel a bit more real now.”

Clare and her horse Euro Prince - Sparky to his friends - have been together for around eight years, and the experienced pair will take on the Dressage and Cross Country on day one of the equestrian events and then the Show Jumping.

“A lot of hard work has been done competing at this level over three or four years,” said Clare. “I had to step up this year, earning personal bests and finishing as good as possible. The last 12 months were the busiest and pressurised consistently to get good results to qualify.”

Clare, who is the only member of the team based in Ireland, says she will prepare much the same as she does for any championships.

“I can’t believe I’ve actually done it. I’ve got this far and I want to do really well.”

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