SALLY Corscadden's Irish eventing team of Cathal Daniels, Sam Watson, Ciaran Glynn and Sarah Ennis, are in fifth place overall and just a few points outside the medal places following today's (Friday) Dressage phase of the FEI Eventing European Championships at Luhmühlen in Germany.

Ireland are on a score of 94.10 and are less than four penalties behind Belgium who are in bronze medal position on 90.90. Germany lead on 68.90 ahead of Britain in second on 85.70. An incredibly tight leaderboard is expected to throw up many changes among the 12 participating nations after Saturday's cross-country phase.

Galway's Cathal Daniels is 13th on the individual standings with Rioghan Rua (ISH) on a score of 29.0, while Carlow's Sam Watson is in 16th with Tullabeg Flamenco (ISH) on 29.6. Ciaran Glynn is in 45th with November Night (ISH(TIH) on 35.5, while Irish individual rider Tony Kennedy is 46th with Westeria Lane (ISH) on 35.6, just ahead of Sarah Ennis and Horseware Woodcourt Garrison (ISH) in 48th on 36.0.

Team manager Sally Corscadden (pictured) is delighted with how her team has performed so far but also warned that riders will have to remain focused during the cross-country.

"It has been a very good day and we’re in a strong position going into cross-country tomorrow. All to play for and our riders will have to show respect and keep their focus all the way round the course. All the combinations performed as well as they could in the dressage and we have to thank Ian Woodhead for all his brilliant training throughout the year and especially at the championships," Corscadden said.

The European Championships are also an Olympic qualifier however the Irish eventing team have already booked their tickets to Tokyo following their brilliant silver medal winning performance at last year's World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA.

Saturday's action underway at 9am Irish time with Ciaran Glynn the first of the Irish starters at 9.24am. Sarah Ennis starts at 10.40am followed by Tony Kennedy at 11.28am. Cathal Daniels starts his round at 12.36pm while Sam Watson will be last of the Irish riders to start at 1.56pm.

The FEI Eventing European Championship team and individual medals will be decided following the final show jumping phase on Sunday.

Equiline – Official athlete clothing supplier of Team Ireland Equestrian

Source: Horse Sport Ireland press release