BERNARD Jackman, HSI’s new interim Head of High Performance Sport, freely admits that his equestrian background is nil, but he remains totally confident he can help Ireland’s riders bring home as many medals as possible from the Paris Olympics next year.

Speaking to The Irish Field, Jackman explained that he sees multiple parallels between his experience in the rugby and business spheres and his new world of Olympic equestrianism, for which he has an abundance of enthusiasm.