Ireland in touch with medal contenders as Olympic Eventing competition enters crucial Cross Country phase

The Irish Eventing team lie in fifth place overall and just marginally outside the medal places, as the influential Cross Country phase of the Olympic Eventing competition looms today (Monday) in Rio.

Nick Turner’s four strong team finished the Dressage phase in impressive fashion, staying well in touch with the leaders. Sunday’s action at Deodora Olympic Park saw Jonty Evans riding The Irish Sport Horse Cooley’s Rorkes Drift, and Mark Kyle riding Jemilla, both produce impressive scores. Ireland had gotten off to an excellent start on Saturday after personal best scores for Tipperary’s Padraig McCarthy with the gelding Simon Porloe and Clare Abbott from Co Down with The Irish Sport Horse Europrince.

The top eight nations on the team standings are only separated by a small margin, ahead of today’s Cross Country which begins at 2pm Irish time. Padraig McCarthy will be the first Irish rider to tackle the Cross Country course at 2.09pm, followed by Clare Abbott at 3.21pm, Jonty Evans at 4.47pm and Mark Kyle at 18.03

The individual and team Eventing medals will be decided following the final Show Jumping phase on Tuesday.

**NOTE – Breeding an owners details of all four Irish Olympic Eventing horses available below.

Padraig McCarthy with Simon Porloe (PZHK) 2000 bay gelding by Sofix out of Babilonia by Czubaryk. Owner: Christopher & Sarita Perkins

Clare Abbott with Europrince (ISH), 2003 chestnut gelding by Lougheries Quiet Man (UNK) out of Miss Tullydraw. (UNK). Breeder & Owner: Dr Cormac McKay.

Jonty Evans with Cooley Rorke’s Drift (ISH), 2006 gelding by Courage II out of Doon-A-Ree-Lass, by Rachelle Comet. Breeder: William McCarrison Owner: Fiona Elliot & Jonty Evans.

Mark Kyle with Jemilla, (SHBGB). 2006 bay mare by Mill Law out of Jessica XIX by Louella Moschallah. Owner: Shelagh & Richard Morley.