Ireland’s sole dressage competitor Judy Reynolds opens her Olympic challenge this morning upbeat and with the attitude “anything can happen”.

Jonty Evans stole the show again yesterday in terms of the Irish eventing team, producing a double clear on Cooley Rorkes Drift to finish ninth in the individual classification.

Despite another superb display from Jonty Evans, Ireland’s hopes of eventing glory were dashed yesterday on a cross-country that lived up to predictions as being a true test of horse and rider.

Ireland eventing rider Jonty Evans was in high spirits last night after a superb dressage display left him provisional ninth in the individual standings and helped Ireland to fifth place in the battle for team honours.

It was a mixed bag for the Irish on the official opening day of action.

Irish Olympic eventing team rider Pádraig McCarthy said Monday’s cross-country phase will pose a major test for riders.

Talking to eventer Padraig McCarthy this week as he prepared for the startof Ireland’s Olympic challenge tomorrow, the conversation has a recurring theme: Positivity. 

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) yesterday listed Greg Broderick and MHS Going Global among the nominations for Ireland’s sole show jumping slot at the Olympics, but it is examining the horse’s eligibility amid speculation it may not comply with a rule on ownership.

Having not competed at the top level since last year, Greg Broderick and MHS Going Global laid down a late marker for Olympic selection yesterday, producing a double clear to help Ireland win the Furusiyya Series nations cup in a rain-soaked St Gallen, Switzerland.

Show jumper Cian O’Connor boosted his Olympic aspirations when runner-up in the Million Dollar Grand Prix in Ocala, Florida, last night.

Dressage rider Judy Reynolds is breaking new ground this weekend as the first Irish rider to line out in a World Cup final and her aim is to replicate the performances that have seen her greatly improve Ireland’s reputation in the sport.

Ireland eventing manager Nick Turner believes “there’s a lot to look forward to”, as he announced his squad for September’s European Championships at Blair Castle, Scotland.

Fraser Duffy was reasonably satisfied with his dressage on Fernhill Revelation in the CCI three-star class on the opening day of Tattersalls International Horse Trials yesterday, writes John Tynan.

Ireland eventing coach Nick Turner is hopeful the good times will continue this weekend as he leads his charges in the Eventing Nations Cup final in Boekelo, the Netherlands.

Millstreet in Co Cork has won the right to stage the 2016 European Show Jumping Championships for Juniors, Young Riders and Children on Horses.

A pall was cast over the sport of eventing at the weekend with the deaths of two riders while competing.

Days after another stunning success and days before the Irish squad for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) is announced, it’s a case of what will be will be for eventer Aoife Clark.

Ireland eventing manager Nick Turner conceded he “had to make a few difficult phonecalls in the last few days” as he finalised his squad for next month’s European Championships.

Marion Hughes kept the Irish flag flying in China on Saturday when second in the World Cup in Chengdu.

NEXT MONTH’S Ballindenisk Horse Trials has attracted a stellar line-up, according to the organisers.

THE Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) has yet to review the reports on the recent Ballindenisk Eventing World Cup qualifier, which proved controversial after many riders withdrew over the hard ground.

THE chairman of the implementation group charged with setting up an umbrella body for equestrianism hopes to complete the group’s task by Christmas.

BLYTH TAIT kept his cool at a balmy Punchestown yesterday to claim a brace of victories, as Niall Griffin lifted Irish spirits with a third to the former world champion in the feature Olympic-format event.

WITH Jonty Evans (Marsden Muscat) playing the leading role, Ireland’s event riders staged a stunning recovery to win the three-star class in Boekelo, the Netherlands, at the weekend.

THE squad charged with carrying the Irish flag in next week’s European Eventing Championships in Punchestown was named this week following a final outing in Annaharvey.