Eventers jump to eighth after cross-country

FOUR jumping clears from Ireland’s eventers in yesterday’s cross-country phase at Hong Kong moved them up two places to eighth in the 11-country competition.

All riders incurred time penalties, with only Niall Griffin and Lorgaine — best of the Irish in the dressage — picking up an extra 20 jumping penalties.

Not surprisingly, high performance manager Ginny Elliot was happy her team had redeemed themselves to some extent, following a disappointing dressage.

“It’s a long time since an Irish team had four clear rounds on cross-country, so when it came to Niall, we already had the team score in the bag, so we told him just to go for broke and ride for speed. Unfortunately, he had a run-out on a corner at the back end of the course, and that’s where he picked up his 20 penalties.”

After two phases, Louise Lyons (Watership Down) is leading the Irish challenge on 85.80 penalties. Corkman Austin O’Connor (Hobby Du Mee) is next best on 87.20, with Captain Geoff Curran (Kilkishen) on 92.10. Discard scores come from Niall Griffin (Lorgaine) with 97 penalties and Patricia Ryan (Fernhill Clover Mist) on 113.50.

The performance put the team on 265.10 penalties. With more than 30 penalties separating Ireland from seventh-placed US, on 234, it will require another good performance in today’s show jumping phase for the team to improve its position.

Meanwhile, Germany moved into pole position on 158.10 yesterday, relegating Australia to second place on 162. Britain is also very much in the hunt on 173.70.

Hinrich Romeike (Marius) on 50.20, heads the individual rankings, with fellow-German Ingrid Klimke (Abraxxas) 0.50 adrift. The Aussies are stalking them, with Megan Jones (Irish Jester) on 51 penalties with Clayton Fredericks (Ben Along Time) fourth on 53.40.

Fears about the conditions, especially humidity, did not materialise, with gentle rain under cloudy skies creating horse-friendly temperatures. Though rain became heavier toward the end of competition, it had little effect.