Outstanding performances from Sarah Ennis and Padraig McCarthy moves Irish Eventers into medal contention at World Equestrian Games

Irish riders Sarah Ennis and Padraig McCarthy have both moved inside the top 10 of the Eventing competition at the FEI World Equestrian Games in North Carolina, USA, following stunning Dressage performances by the Irish pair on Friday ahead of today’s (Saturday) Cross Country.

Co Meath’s Sarah Ennis and Horseware Stellor Rebound (ISH) are in sixth place at the World Equestrian Games (Photo: Erin Gilmore)

Ennis and the 14-year-old gelding Horseware Stellor Rebound (ISH), produced a mesmerizing display to finish on a score of 26.3 penalties, leaving them in sixth place on the leaderboard. Ireland has two riders inside the top 10 thanks to Tipperary’s Padraig McCarthy who is in equal ninth on 27.2 with Mr Chunky.

A happy Padraig McCarthy following his Dressage test at the World Equestrian Games

Irish individual rider Patricia Ryan is in 38th with Dunrath Eclipse (ISH) with a score of 30.8. Cross Country specialist Cathal Daniels is in 58th with Riogan Rua (ISH) (34.0) while Sam Watson is in 63rd with Horseware Ardagh Highlight (ISH) on 35.5. Germany’s Julia Krajewski holds the lead individually with Chipmunk FRH on 19.9.

When added to Wednesday’s scores from Irish team members Cathal Daniels and Sam Watson, the Irish team lie in seventh place on 87.5 and crucially are only a tiny margin off the medal places. Germany lead on a record breaking score of 73.4, with Britain second on 80.8, while USA sit in Bronze medal position less than five points ahead of Ireland.

Reflecting on her team’s Dressage performace and looking ahead to Cross Country, Irish Eventing team manager Sally Corscadden said:

“I am very proud of our Dressage performances, particularly for Padraig [McCarthy] and Sarah [Ennis]. To be producing the goods on the world stage is just fantastic for Irish Eventing. We’re in a very competitive position for tomorrow and the Cross Country is going to be influential with time being crucial. The hill [towards the end of the course] is going to play a factor and the intensity of the first half will be a test of control. So it will be a true championship course.”

The Cross Country phase at the World Equestrian Games begins today (Saturday) at 4pm Irish time. The Eventing team and individual medals will be decided following Sunday’s final Show Jumping phase.

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