William Clarke's defence of his world title got off to a bad start at the European young rider three-day event championships in Belgium yesterday when a less than fluent dressage test left him in 32nd place on a mark of 64.6 with Gemstone. Best of the Irish is Alex Hynds, whose score of 56.4 penalties with Eggor McGreggor leaves him ninth going into today's cross-country test.
The Irish team is in seventh of the 10 nations on a total of 184 penalties, but the placings are very tight, with just 17 marks covering the top seven teams. The Germans, with two riders in the top three individually, lead the pack on 167, ahead of Sweden and France, sharing second place on 169.2.
At the Blenheim three-star in England, Paul Dempsey heads the Irish challenge in 15th place with Pepe le Pew from a record field of 109 starters. Jane O'Flynn and Braveheart are next best of the Irish in 31st on 55.6, but reigning European champion Pippa Funnell is a long way clear with Primmore's Pride.
Ireland's European show jumping championship gold medal quartet have been tuning up well for today's defence of their Canadian Nations Cup title in Calgary, with Peter Charles slotting Carnavelly into second place in Thursday's $30,000 Cana Cup. Team-mate Jessica Kurten was third in the Welcome Stakes on Wednesday.
