After been selected as Fast-Track athletes by Paralympics Ireland earlier this year, Austen Burns and Emma Cahill made their international debut for Team Ireland Equestrian at the event. Riders would generally gain international experience at one or two-star level but, not to be deterred, both Burns and Cahill rose to the challenge, giving impressive displays at the Gloucester show grounds.

Para-dressage ensures riders are classed according to their physical disability and Ireland had representatives in each grade. Burns, who partnered Mary Murphy’s Diamond Liath, kicked started the Irish effort in the 1a Grade scoring 63% in the team test and 62% in the individual championship.