Ireland's eventing team slipped to eighth overall in Rio following a challenging cross-country phase today.
The team were fifth overall following the dressage portion of the competition at the weekend but were immediately under pressure when Padraig McCarthy took a tumble on his horse Simon Porloe halfway through the testing course.
Rider and horse were thankfully both unharmed but that meant the other three Irish riders had to complete the course, as only one score could be discarded.
Claire Abbot and Euro Prince then steadied the ship with a round of 65.60 before Jonty Evans almost went clear in scoring just 22.80 penalties.
Mark Kyle and Jemilla finished with 50.8, which briefly lifted Ireland into third place on a team total of 278.40, but clear rounds from some competing riders saw them finish eighth.
Padraig McCarthy says both he and his horse are fine after their cross country fall #rterio2016 https://t.co/mIKLxxuVCi
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 8, 2016
Australia lead the team rankings on 150.30, New Zealand are close behind on 154.80 and France third with 161.00. The final phase, jumping, takes place tomorrow.
Evans is Ireland's best-ranked rider in the individual competition in 16th (64.60), and will hope to finish in the top 25 and go forward to the individual jumping final. Kyle is 34th (101.20) and Abbott 38th (112.60).
Australian Christopher Burton Santano II leads the way on 37.60 penalties.
