Ireland leads Nations Cup Final after stunning cross country

The Agria Irish Eventing Team lie in first place overnight ahead of the final jumping phase of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Final in Boekelo.

Ideally placed after yesterday’s dressage phase, the Irish team of Aoife Clark, Padraig McCarthy, Austin O’Connor and Susie Berry took the competition by storm in this morning’s cross country and have stormed into the lead on a score of 98.6.

The team added just 2.8 to their dressage total after a clear round within the time from Susie Berry and Clever Trick, while Aoife Clark and Sportsfield Freelance were also clear, incurring just 0.4 in time penalties.

Padraig McCarthy was Ireland’s other counting score with Pomp N Circumstance as they added just 2.4 time penalties to the total, with Austin O’Connor and Isazsa’s round proving to be the drop score.

It means Ireland leads the standings, with the USA in second on 103.1 and New Zealand third on 116.5.

Chef d’Equipe Dag Albert was understandably delighted with his charges after an incredible morning.

“They were brilliant,” he said.

“Aoife was second out of everyone to go out on course, which is very difficult, but we made a plan that she executed it perfectly and that gave us the impetus to go on from there.

“All four were brilliant – Susie clear inside the time and Padraig just a few seconds over, while Austin really dug in to get home.

“So obviously this is the position we would have liked to be in and we felt we could be in this position after some really solid, consistent dressage tests.

“But there’s three days and three phases and we just need to keep it going now tomorrow and see it through but we’re very happy.”