A world class test in Cork for Shortt

EVENTING is a sport of opposites. It combines the finesse and cadence of dressage, the fervour and stamina of the cross-country gallop and the accuracy of show jumping.

Novel as it is, though, in common with other sports, the pleasure is often qualified by the level of pain preceding it.

Athens event rider Sue Shortt has tasted both. Fortunately, her ups far outweigh her downs. Her nadir, she admits, came when at one event a couple of years ago, she went crashing out with three horses.