IRELAND’S Padraig McCarthy is currently in Kentucky to ride in what will be his first attempt at the prestigious five-star event. At time of print, McCarthy was preparing to do his dressage test with his European team silver medal winning partner Pomp N Circumstance, a five-star first timer, with a drawn time of 7pm Irish time.

Speaking to Nadia Rea of the Irish Horse Board at the event, McCarthy explained the unique partnership he has with this horse which is owned by the Gough family - Sarah, Michael and daughter Rachel - who are there to support him.

“I’m feeling good. It’s my first time here so it’s all a little bit alien, just trying to find my feet and find my way around,” he said. “He’s got a good bit of experience, obviously this is a step up in level, but he’s always been very consistent, so we’re hoping for a good week. So far, everything has been very good. Typically we had a few little blips in the run up to here, but I’m hoping he’s peaking at the right time. Over the last couple of days, he’s started to feel better and better. He’s never, so far, really got a really good mark in the dressage, he’s often fooled me into the sense that he’s been relaxed enough, and then he gets in there and is a little bit squeaky. But I think he’s where I want him to be now, and he’s performing really well so I’m hoping he can put his best foot forward tomorrow.

“I had him from the beginning when he was three and he still belonged to the breeders. It’s an interesting story. The mother was an Irish mare called Bowhouse Mandalin by Furisto, and she was ridden at Badminton and Burghley by the owner’s daughter. His father was a Spanish horse (Pompadour) that Rachel rode at four star level. So it’s a really amazing story to have the the mother and the father, and to get this fella all the way up to five star. Very few people have had the father and the mother and have competed them at a high level so that’s very unique and special.

“He trotted really well, I was really proud of him. My groom is with me, Keara Schmidt, and she had him looking a million dollars so full credit to her.”