Irish duo Sam Watson and Cathal Daniels in share seventh place at prestigious Luhmühlen Horse Trials in Germany

A brilliant Cross Country performance from Irish Eventing riders Sam Watson and Cathal Daniels, has seen them rise to a share of seventh place overall at Luhmühlen Horse Trials in Germany.

Luhmühlen is one of just six events held around the globe each year at four-star level – the highest level of competition in the sport of Eventing.

Carlow’s Sam Watson and The Irish Sport Horse Horseware Ardagh Highlight climbed an incredible 22 places. Watson had been in 29th place after Dressage but a clear round Cross Country inside the time saw him remain on his Dressage score.

Ireland’s Sam Watson (left) and Cathal Daniels are in a share of seventh place at Luhmühlen Horse Trials in Germany

Galway’s Cathal Daniels also came home inside the time with The Irish Sport Horse Rioghan Rua, but were initially awarded 50 penalties when judged to have missed a flag at fence 17b. However this was later overturned on appeal, giving Daniels a clear round. He lies in joint seventh along with Watson, with both Irish riders on their Dressage scores of 33.60 ahead of what promises to be a thrilling final Show Jumping phase on Sunday. Patricia Ryan and Dunrath Eclipse (ISH) are next best of the Irish in 16th on a score of 49.0 after jumping clear and adding just time faults. Boyd Martin (USA) leads with Shamwari on a score of 27.40.

In the CIC3* competition at Luhmühlen, Ireland’s Michelle Kenny and Carlchen have risen to sixth place after today’s Cross Country phase. They jumped clear and added just 7.60 time penalties to leave them on 31.50 heading into the final Show Jumping phase. Aidan Keogh is next best of the Irish in 20th place with Pride of Tredstep. Germany’s Julia Krajewski and Samourai du Thot lead on a score of 19.90.