Gary Parsonage, a member of Britain's 1996 Olympic team, heads the Horseware two-star, riding Hallo Sportsfield, at the Necarne Castle three-day event after the dressage, but has less than a point's breathing space over fellow Briton Polly Stockton. But, although the top six placings are filled by visiting riders - with Neilus O'Donoghue best of the home side in seventh with Esker Riada - the top three horses are at least Irish-bred.

Hallo Sportsfield was sold out of Ireland by Co Tipperary based Paul Donovan and Carol Gee as a four-year-old. Polly Stockton, who won 12 months ago with The Tonka Toy, has returned to defend her title with the Ceredigion mare Kiletra. The nine-year-old is owned by Cork solicitor Arthur Comyn.

Australia's Matt Ryan, who has three Olympic gold medals to his credit, is joint third on Nigel Mansell's Frank The Swank, level pegging with Britain's Bianca Bairstow on the Irish-bred Flying Finnikapan.