Emer Bermingham

IRELAND’s young rider eventing team are just one place off a medal position has they head into the cross-country phase tomorrow at the European Championships in Vale Sabroso, Portugal. 

The Gain Horse Feeds-sponsored team of Jodie O’Keefe (Kachemire Le Beau), Joshua Pim (The Irish Minstrel), Harold Megahey (Chuckleberry) and Elizabeth Hayden (Miracle) finished the dressage phase on a combined score of 138.80 marks. Sharing the lead after dressage are the German and British teams on 127.50 marks each, while Germany finished on a total score of 136.50 marks.

In the individual standings, Josh Pim lies finished best of the Irish after dressage in ninth place on 46.70 marks, while Germany’s Charlotte Sophia Hachmeister (Kassio 10) holds the lead on 36.90 marks.

Speaking ahead of today’s cross-country phase, team manager, Sally Corscadden said: “The horses all travelled well and the temperatures didn’t rise that much as we expected, so they settled well.  I was very happy at how all the riders performed in the dressage phase, however there seems to be some inconsistency in the judging, with one judge about 30 marks off the other judges marks. This is very clear to see in the results.

She added: “We are going into the cross-country in a very good position as we are very strong in this phase. It is a very strong technical course but all the riders and horses are well able for this sort of track and having proven this in past results. 

“Time will be an issue, but we knew that before going out here.  There are some fences to watch out; a double of corners and as I thought, three strong water fences will test combinations.

“This course will test the rider’s ability, but I am confident that we can move up on the leader board. The French, Germans and the English, as expected are very strong, but it’s still all to play for.  The cross country will be very exciting and we are looking forward to the challenge.”