Irish Eventing team remain in the hunt as Nations Cup heats up at Tattersalls International Horse Trials in Co Meath

Impressive performances in today’s (Saturday) Show Jumping phase has seen Sally Corscadden’s Irish Eventing team remain right in touch with the leaders in the FEI Nations Cup at Tattersalls International Horse Trials in Co Meath.

Irish Eventing Team Manager Sally Corscadden

Clear rounds from both Sarah Ennis and Sam Watson along with a four fault score from Cathal Daniels, leaves Ireland on a combined score of 140.0, less than one penalty point behind second placed Britain (139.10) and under 7 penalties behind the leaders France (133.60).

The final Cross Country phase takes place on Sunday at Tattersalls and with 20 penalties for any mistakes, and time also a major factor, any of the top three teams could emerge as winners.
In the George Mernagh Memorial CICO3* individual standings, Meath’s Sarah Ennis remains in second place overall on her Dressage score of 36.5, just 0.5 penalties behind French leader Luc Chateau with Propriano de l’Ebat (36.0). Carlow’s Sam Watson has moved up the leaderboard and now lies in fifth place with Imperial Sky (ISH) (TIH) on a score of 43.80, while he also holds sixth spot with Ardagh Highlight (ISH) (46.40). Aidan Keogh is just one place further back in seventh with Pride of Teadstep (ISH) (48.20)
Ennis and Watson are joined on the Irish team by Cathal Daniels who is in 17th place with OLS Back Chat (ISH)(TIH), and Austin O’Connor who is in 18th with Balham Houdini (ISH).

Irish Eventing Team Manager Sally Corscadden said:

“I am really happy with our performances. Sam Watson and Cathal Daniels horses are very inexperienced at this level and they jumped really well. Austin O’Connor’s horse started jumping really well and just got a bit flat during the round but recovered well at the finish. Sarah Ennis and her horse jumped a real class round. The margins are tiny going into the Cross Country. Time is going to play a big factor and you will have to go as fast as you can. There are some tight angles where you have to go for it and risk a run out but we will be going all out. Our riders are stepping up all the time. Their Dressage and Jumping was excellent and we are feeling confident and positive going into the final round.”

Italian rider Vittoria Panizzon continues to lead The Irish Field CCI3* competition with Chequers Play The Game. Clare Lambert is the highest placed Irish rider in 20th with Whitmore Way

Jodie O’Keeffe remains best of the Irish in 13th place, in the Connolly’s Red Mills CCI2* Under 25 class with Reenmore Duke. Brian Morrison with Ballymolloy Rogan (ISH) is the highest placed Irish rider in the Eventing Ireland CCI2*.

Tattersalls International Horse Trials continues on Sunday with thrilling Cross Country and Show Jumping action, Country Fair, Shopping and Family Entertainment.