Paris 2024: Eventing team hit by horse withdrawal

Austin O'Connor delivered a foot-perfect clear cross country round within the time on board Colorado Blue to lie 14th individually in Eventing.

O’Connor and his dashing grey came home one second under the limit to remain on his dressage score of 31.7.

Unfortunately however, an injury to Sarah Ennis’ Irish Sport Horse Acton Lady M, picked up in the course of a brilliant round that saw the Howth pilot pick up just 3.2 penalties, have put a major dent in hopes of a medal for Dag Albert’s squad.

First alternate, Aoife Clark will step into the breach on Sportsfield Freelance in tomorrow show jumping but with 20 penalty points added to Ireland’s tally, Ireland are now in ninth overall.

That represented a climb of two places for the squad, while O’Connor vaulted 14 places from the 28th position he inhabited after the dressage.

"It’s obviously very disappointing, especially for Sarah and for the horse - they were incredible out there today, jumped their hearts out," said Albert, Eventing Team Manager.

"Action Lady M has picked up a little injury, nothing serious, and she’ll be fully recovered very soon, but the horse always comes first in these situations and that’s why we’ve made the decision to substitute Aoife in with Sportsfield Freelance.

"I’m so proud of Sarah, Susie and Austin for their performances today, and now Aoife replaces Sarah in tomorrow’s show jumping.

"We came here as a team of four and now Aoife steps in to compete. That’s the nature of it and I have no doubt she will jump brilliantly tomorrow for the team."

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