PARIS OLYMPICS 2024 – Irish Eventing team in 11th place after opening Dressage phase

Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue in action at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris (Photo: Libby Law Photography)

The Irish Eventing team are in 11th place of 16 teams following today’s (Saturday) opening Dressage phase at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Palace of Versailles, the competition saw the three-member Irish team finish the day on a combined score of 102.70. Great Britain hold the gold medal position on a score of 66.70, with Germany in second and France in third.

Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue are the best-placed Irish combination on the individual standings in 28th place on a score of 31.70. Co Down’s Susie Berry with Wellfields Lincon are in 32nd place on 33.0, while Meath’s Sarah Ennis with the Susanne Macken-bred Action Lady M are in 54th place on 38.0. Britain’s Laura Collett is the individual leader on a score of 17.50.

Banbridge 28-year-old Susie Berry, who is making her Olympic debut, admitted that there was a different feel to the competition – and even Wellfields Lincoln knew that there was something extra special about the Games.

Berry said: “It’s a surreal experience but I’m thrilled with him – he can be a spooky horse but he felt quite alert today. It was like he knew there was something different about today. His trot work felt beautiful in there and maybe in his canter he felt a little tense through his back so we maybe lost a few moves that would ordinarily come naturally to him. It’s his first time being in an atmosphere like that so I’m very happy with him. It’s very dense in there, very atmospheric, and the grandstands are so tall that the horses seem to be looking up a lot, but it’s an incredible arena.”

The Cross Country phase of the Eventing competition takes place in Paris tomorrow Sunday, before the team and individual medals are awarded on Monday. The Olympic Dressage competition gets underway on Tuesday with Ireland represented by Abigail Lyle. The Irish Show Jumping team of Daniel Coyle, Shane Sweetnam, Cian O’Connor and Darragh Kenny begin their quest for Olympic glory on Thursday.

BREEDING
Action Lady M (ISH)– 2014 mare by Plot Blue (KWPN) out of Action G. (HOLST) by Acorado (HOLST). Bred and owned by Susanne Macken (Meath). Rider: Sarah Ennis (IRL)