Equestrian Sport European three-day event championshipIreland's promising start in Thursday's dressage was not reflected in the placings at the close of play yesterday at Blenheim, England, when the team dropped to eighth of the 10 teams. But there was better news on the breeding front, with the top three horses in the individual standings all boasting Irish bloodlines.
A solid test from Jonty Evans and Cregwarrior, number three for Ireland, earned a mark of 51.7 to leave the Irish in sixth at the lunch-break, one place lower than Thursday. But although Mark Kyle was thrilled with the 59.6 for his performance with the Hickstead Eventing Grand Prix winner Drunken Disorderly, it didn't prevent a further drop to eighth at day's end.
Evans has taken over the best-of-the-Irish mantle in 27th, with individual runners Niall Griffin and Lorgaine three places lower in 30th on a score of 53.7.
Bettina Hoy, determined to make amends for losing Olympic team and individual gold in Athens last summer when circling after the start in the show jumping phase, retained her overnight lead with a 6.5 penalty advantage over Pippa Funnell. But there was a change in the order immediately below the leading pair, when first British team member Zara Phillips and then German Frank Ostholt moved into a share of third.
Hoy's Ringwood Cockatoo, Funnell's Ensign and Phillips's Toytown are all Irish-bred, but the Mandalus gelding Ensign is probably the cheapest horse in the field, having been bought by Funnell and her mother, Jenny Nolan, for a mere £3,000 just over three years ago. Too slow for racing, Ensign was bought for quick re-sale but failed to find a new home and is providing the horsepower for Funnell's European bid while her top horses are sidelined from action.
The Germans have extended their lead over the British in the team standings to a 12.2 penalty advantage. The French are a further 7.2 adrift in third, but there is a substantial gap between the medal prospects and Ireland in eighth on 166.3.
In showjumping, the Irish team finished equal third in the Czech Nations Cup at Podebrady, level-pegging with Britain on 16 faults after a double clear from Neal Fearon and Cruz Forever. The Germans continued their domination of all things equestrian, winning at the Czech fixture on just four faults ahead of the Swedes on 12.
EUROPEAN THREE-DAY EVENT CHAMPIONSHIPS (Blenheim, England, placings after dressage) - 1, Germany's Ringwood Cockatoo (Bettina Hoy), 31.3 penalties; 2, Britain's Ensign (Pippa Funnell), 37.8; equal 3, Britain's Toytown (Zara Phillips) and Germany's Air Jordan (Frank Ostholt), 38.0; Irish placings - 27, Cregwarrior (Jonty Evans), 51.7; 30, Lorgaine (Niall Griffin), 53.7; 39, Just Beauty Queen (Susan Shortt), 55.0; 47, Drunken Disorderly (Mark Kyle), 59.6; 61, Old Road (Michael Ryan), 67.4.
Teams - 1, Germany, 111.7 penalties; 2, Britain, 123.9; 3, France, 131.1; 4, Belgium, 143.0; 5, Italy, 148.2; 6, Sweden, 155.7; 7, Poland, 156.5; 8, Ireland, 166.3.
