Capt Geoff Curran trained his sights on Ollie Townend at the Johnson & Perrott Land Rover International Horse Trials in Ballindenisk yesterday, ruing that the Briton’s superb performance in the dressage had blown away what would generally be considered a respectable score from the Army officer.

For most riders, the thrill and examination provided by the cross-country is the main attraction in eventing, and Vittoria Panizzon is not alone in finding that the dressage element lacks the same excitement.

Next month’s Johnson & Perrott Land Rover International Horse Trials in Ballindenisk is gearing up to be one of the best as the Cork venue again attracts the cream of international and national riders.

Zara Phillips, the grand-daughter of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, will bid for successive victories when she returns next month for the Johnson & Perrott Land Rover International Horse Trials in Ballindenisk, Cork.