Olympics - Equestrian: There were contrasting performances from Ireland's final two riders in the dressage phase of the three-day event held earlier this morning at Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong.
Niall Griffin and Lorgaine produced a career best test for 49.40 penalties but Fernhill Clover Mist refused to settle for Patricia Ryan and they now lie one from the bottom in the individual standings having accrued a score of 78.70.
It's a similar position for the team with just the Brazilian quartet behind Ireland facing into tomorrow's cross-country. The horses are being transported up to the Beas River venue in the New Torritories where they will be stabled overnight.
Australia heads into the second phase in gold medal position followed by Germany, the United States and Great Britain. In the individual standings, Austrialian riders Lucinda Fredericks and Megan Jones lie first and fourth respectively, split by
Belgium's Karin Donckers and Ingrid Klimke from Germany.
Before the third session of dressage got underway, riders learned of the death of Emma Jonathan while contesting the CIC at Hartpury College. The 23-year-old died as a result of a fall with the nine-year-old mare El Nino at fence 19 on the Gloucestershire track.
Horse Sport Ireland high performance coach Ginny Elliott was still optimistic this morning about Ireland's hopes.
"Remember we are just 60 penalties behind the leaders. Sixty penalties is equivalent to one fall or three refusals. Anything can happen at this stage of the event, and I would rather we fought back from this position, which we are capable of doing, rather than fall from a higher one.
"There's a lot of work to do tomorrow on the cross-country course, but I'm still very positive," she said.