Irish eventing team finish eighth

IRELAND’S eventing team finished eighth overall yesterday on 276.10 penalties as the competition ended with the showjumping phase in Hong Kong.

A clear round for Corkman Austin O’Connor (Hobby Du Mee) saw him qualify for the individual final on 87.2 penalties, eventually finishing in 21st place.

High performance coach Ginny Elliott said: “this was a very solid accomplishment from our five riders and horses who have all finished in the Olympic top 45.

“I am very proud of them, particularly in jumping and cross-country and the fact that we added just 11 penalties in the showjumping phase here today tells it own story.

“I believe we need more work in dressage but we now have something really worthwhile to build on. I am treating this as the beginning not the end and I will be announcing Ireland’s 2009 squad for the European eventing championship next month. The preparations for those championships start now.”

Captain Geoff Curran (Kilkishen) collected only two time penalties for a total of 109, while two fences down and a single time penalty for Louise Lyons (Watership Down) saw her end on 94.80 penalties.

The discard scores came from Bandon rider Patricia Ryan (Fernhill Clover Mist) whose 13 faults yesterday gave her a competition total of 126.50 as Wexford’s Niall Griffin and Lor Gaine ended on 109 after adding twelve yesterday.

Victory went to Germany, with Australia taking the silver medal and Britain winning the bronze.