Meath’s Sarah Ennis lies 12th at Badminton Horse Trials as Cross Country day dawns

TODAY is Cross Country day at the world famous Badminton three-day event in the UK.

Meath’s Sarah Ennis lies in 12th place with her Irish Sport Horse BLM Diamond Delux, following the conclusion of the dressage phase on Friday

The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials is one of Britain’s largest sporting events, attracting up to 150,000 spectators. Huge crowds are expected for today’s spectacular Cross Country contest which starts at 11.30am.

The overnight leader is the European, World and Olympic Champion Michael Jung from Germany.

Kildare-based Camilla Speirs and her diminutive Irish Sport Horse, Portersize Just A Jiff, is among a tightly-packed group of riders inside the top 50.

Westmeath-born Joseph Murphy with Sportsfield Othello (ISH) lies in 55th place, while Limerick’s Michael Ryan and Ballylynch Adventure (ISH) are in 59th. Joseph Murphy also holds 67th place with DHI Topstory.

The Irish Sport Horse Hasty Imp, who was bred by Sean Barron from Co Wexford, lies in fourth place, while 2014 Badminton winner Paulank Brockagh (bred by Paula Cullen in Co Carlow) lies in 11th spot.

German superstar Michael Jung leads the field with his London Olympic mount La Biosthetique Sam. However the leaderboard will be expected to change dramatically during today’s daunting Cross Country phase.

Today’s action can be viewed live on the BBC red button, with coverage beginning at 11.20am

The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials will conclude on Sunday with the final Show Jumping phase which can be viewed live on BBC 2 from 2pm to 4pm.