EQUESTRIAN: Ireland is holding overnight eighth in the team standings after the first day of dressage in the three-day eventing at the world equestrian games in Aachen, Germany, reports Grania Willis.

Michael Ryan was first into the arena yesterday morning, scoring a personal best of 63.3 penalties with Old Road for a temporary hold on fifth place. The Tipperary-born rider had slid to 12th at the lunchbreak, but ended the day in 27th.

Niall Griffin's Lorgaine had an afternoon start and a mark of 57.4 left him 20th at the close of play, giving Team Ireland a tally of 120.7 at the halfway stage.

Australia heads the teams by the slimmest of margins from Germany, with the USA not far off the pace in third.

Andreas Dibowski, who is not part of the German team, heads the individual rankings by 3.2 penalties from Australian team member Megan Jones.