No long face for Olympic hopeful

It is thought the horse will be entered for the 2012 Olympics

He has been labelled as the equine equivalent of Usain Bolt and is tipped as a potential medal winner in the 2012 Olympics in showjumping.

Drumiller Lough was bred in Loughgilly, County Armagh, by breeder Paul Dillon.

He is now with the Irish Army Equestrian School and equestrian journalist Ruth Loney said he is tipped as a strong contender for the Olympics.

At the weekend the horse won silver at the world championships for young horses in Belgium.

"He's jumping one metre fifty, one metre sixty and and it takes a special horse to jump over four days and not hit a fence," she said.

"This horse jumped four clear rounds and the second fastest time - just beaten by two seconds by the gold medallist."

Captain David O'Brien was riding the horse and Ms Loney said that he was a very accurate rider.

A report commissioned by the Irish government to identify ways to save money has recommended disbanding the army equitation team and closing its centre, founded in 1926, which would save around 1m euro.

There has been opposition to the plan from within the horse industry.

Ms Loney said opposition had been boosted by Drumiller Lough's strong performances.

"This success on Sunday has been a major lifeline, both for breeders in Northern Ireland who are down 30% on breeding foals because of the recession it has given hope to everyone," she said.