Ireland in overnight seventh place after European Eventing championship dressage

WITH the second day of dressage now complete at the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships at Blair Castle, Scotland today (Friday) the Irish team is in overnight seventh place before Saturday’s vital cross country phase.

Still topping the Irish scores is individual rider Sam Watson with Horseware Lukeswell (ISH), now in 27th place, while championship debutants Padraig McCarthy and the gelding Simon Porloe hold a team score of 46.60 in 31st place.

Second team rider Austin O’Connor with Balham Houdini (ISH) finished with 47.10 in today’s dressage test, giving him a 33rd place ranking. Third team member Joseph Murphy and Sportsfield Othello (ISH) are in 43rd place, while fourth team member Michael Ryan and Ballylynch Adventure (ISH) hold 50th position of the 65 competitors after today’s dressage score of 51.90 penalties.

Irish individual rider Camilla Speirs on Portersize Just a Jiff (ISH) is in 57th overnight.

The championships, which feature riders from 11 nations, continue with the cross country phase on Saturday and the final show jumping element on Sunday. Ireland traditionally improves its position on the leaderboard during the cross country phase.

Current leader at Blair Castle is Germany’s Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo, who are fractionally ahead of last night’s first-placed Holly Woodhead of Britain with DHI Lupison (ISH).

Germany leads the nations’ table in the European Championships, with Great Britain in second and France third.

Irish team rider Michael Ryan after completing his European championship dressage test at Blair Castle today