With just over 30 penalties separating the top 13 teams, the competition is still wide open heading into the Cross Country.

The Irish trio of Sam Watson (Tullabeg Flamenco (ISH), Austin O’Connor (Colorado Blue) and Sarah Ennis (Horseware Woodcourt Garrison (ISH), are on a combined score of 110.4.

The medal positions are currently occupied by Britain (78.3), Germany (80.4) and New Zealand (86.4).

Carlow’s Sam Watson and Tullabeg Flamenco (ISH) are best of the Irish individually and are in 38th place on 34.30.

The Cross Country phase of the Olympic Eventing competition starts at 11.45pm tonight Irish time and is live on RTÉ TV.

Sam Watson and Tullabeg Flamenco start at 12.18am. Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue are off at 1.30am. Sarah Ennis and Horseware Woodcourt Garrison will be the last Irish team member to go at 2.39am.

The Olympic Eventing team and individual medals will be decided following the final Show Jumping phase which takes place on Bank Holiday Monday.

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The pair will compete in the Dressage competition at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Sixty competitors that take part in the opening Grand Prix. The top 18 will qualify for the individual final on Wednesday, July 28th.

Eventing

The Irish Eventing team is Sam Watson, Cathal Daniels, Sarah Ennis and Austin O’Connor (reserve). They will get their Olympic campaign underway on Friday, July 30th, with the opening Dressage phase. Next, the Cross Country takes place on Sunday, August 1st. The Eventing team and individual Olympic medals will be decided after the jumping phase on Monday, August 2nd.

Showjumping

The Irish Show Jumping team arrive in Tokyo hoping to challenge for the team gold medal. The team of Bertram Allen, Darragh Kenny, Cian O’Connor and Shane Sweetnam (reserve) will first compete in the individual competition on Tuesday, August 3rd.

Thirty of the 75 starters are set to qualify for the individual final on Wednesday, August 4th. The first round of the Show Jumping team competition takes place on Friday, August 6th, with 10 of the 20 teams looking to book a place in the team final on Saturday, August 7th.

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Sam Watson and Imperial Sky (ISH)(TIH) (Photo: Irish Eventing Times)

Galway’s Cathal Daniels and Barrichello had held the lead after Dressage and Cross Country but two fences down in the final Show Jumping phase saw them drop to seventh. Watson and Imperial Sky (ISH)(TIH) finished on a winning score of 30.5, just ahead of runner-up Sarah Ennis with Horseware Woodcourt Garrison (ISH) on 32.1, while Camilla Speirs finished third with Lukas on 34.0.

Sarah Ennis and Horseware Stellor Rebound (ISH) (Photo: Irish Eventing Times)

The CCI 4*-S saw victory going to Meath’s Sarah Ennis and Horseware Stellor Rebound (ISH) with a score of 28.6. Cathal Daniels and LEB Lias Jewel (ISH) finished second (35.6) while Louise Bloomer and Hollybrook High in the Sky (ISH)(TIH) finished third (37.0).

Brian Morrison Global DHI (Photo: Irish Eventing Times)

Britain’s Daniel Alderson and Ballyvillane OBOS came out on top in the CCI 3*-L while Stephen Smith was best of the Irish in second with HHF Elegance (ISH). The CCI 3*-S was won by  Brian Morrison with Global DHI ahead of Jennifer Kuehnle in second with Polly Blue Eyes.

Ian Cassells and Kellys Quality (ISH) (Photo: Irish Eventing Times)

Ian Cassells dominated the CCI 2*-L when taking victory with Master Point (ISH)(TIH) and he also filled second place with Kellys Quality (ISH), while the CCI 2*-S was won by Cathal Daniels with LEB Empress (ISH).

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