Sally Parkyn

PADRAIG McCarthy’s meteoric rise up the eventing ladder was capped on Sunday night when he lifted the George Mernagh CIC*** at his first attempt. Strengthening his Olympic chances, McCarthy teamed up with Simon Porloe to lead a strong Irish attack, which saw three Irish riders mount the podium, a piece of history. Bearing the bruises of a heavy fall in the two star the previous day, and hugely disappointed to have had to withdraw his CCI*** leader Mr Chunky, the Devon-based rider said: “I’ve experienced all the emotions this week – and it could so nearly have been a double.”