Ireland's eventing team slip out of Olympic contention

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.

Evans finished the day in a creditable 16th place, but the Irish team has slipped to ninth of the 13 countries, carrying 278.40 penalties to stand more than 117 off the bronze-medal position going into today’s show jumping phase.