AN epic day of action on the cross-country course resulted in some dreams coming true and other being dashed.

Irish-based equestrian statistics company EquiRatings says the course was the toughest Olympic cross-country since the shorter format eventing was introduced.

Just 46 horse and rider combinations of the starting 65 completed the cross-country phase, after 15 were eliminated on course, two retired and one withdrew. Ireland’s Padraig McCarthy and Simon Porloe were among the eliminations, following a heavy fall on course from which both walked away.

Only three of the 65 starters managed to finish clearinside the time allowed – the top three individual riders, Australia’s Christopher Burton (Santano II), Germany’s reigning Olympic champion Michael Jung (Sam FBW) and Frenchman Astier Nicolas (Piaf De B’Neville).

ELIMINATED

Karin Donckers (BEL) and Fletcha Van’T Verahof

Stefano Brecciaroli (ITA) and Apollo vd Wendi Kurt

Shane Rose (AUS) and CP Qualified

Julia Krajewski (GER) and Samourai Du Thot

Felix Vogg (SUI) and OnFire

Padraig McCarthy (IRL) and Simon Porloe

Tim Price (NZL) and Ringwood Sky Boy

Lauren Kieffer (USA) and Veronica

Aleksandr Markov (RUS) and Kurfurstin

Kathryn Robinson (CAN) and Let It Bee

Linda Algotsson (SWE) and Fairnet

Pawel Spisak (POL) and Banderas

Andrey Mitin (RUS) and Gurza

Albert Hermoso Farras (ESP) and Hito CP

Theo van de Vendel (NED) and Zindane

RETIRED

Nicolas Lionel Wettstein (ECU) and Nadeville Merze

Clark Montgomery (USA) and Loughan Glen

WITHDRAWN

Evgeniya Ovchinnikova (RUS) and Orion

IRISH RESULTS

Ireland lies in eighth place overall of 13 nations on a total score of 278.40.

The Irish individual placings are:

16th - Jonty Evans & Cooley Rorkes Drift (ISH) 64.60 pens

34th - Mark Kyle & Jemilla 101.20

38th Clare Abbott & Europrince (ISH) 112.60

Ireland needs all three horses – Cooley Rorkes Drift, Jemilla and Euro Prince – to pass the veterinary inspection tomorrow morning to ensure that Ireland can continue as a team into the show jumping phase.

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