BRITISH-based Jonty Evans is best of the Irish in the CCI3* at the Ssangyong Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials in Britain aboard Cooley Rorkes Drift.

Seven Irish riders lined out in the dressage phase on Thursday, with Evans currently lying in eighth place on 40 penalties, just six penalties behind current leader, Germany’s Julia Krajewski (33.4).

Evans is followed by Ireland’s Ciaran Glynn and Killossery Jupiter Rising (16th), Padraig McCarthy and Mr Chunky (=29th), Aoife Clark and Master Rory (=34th), Ciaran Glynn and November Night (38th), Elizabeth Power and Soladoun (42nd) and Susie Berry with Carsonstown Athena (=54th).

Five Irish riders are competing in the CIC3* for eight and nine-year-old horses, with Galway’s Cathal Daniels currently in ninth place on 46.2 penalties after dressage with Margaret Kinsella’s Sammy Davis Junior.

Japan’s Kazuma Tomoto leads on 40.7 penalties. Daniels is followed by Ireland’s Austin O’Connor and Lucky Contender in 18th place. Cross-country takes place today (Saturday).