Ireland's second member of the team in Equestrian Eventing to compete today has said he is "naturally disappointed" with his score in the Dressage test in Tokyo, but is looking forward to the next two days of events.
Austin O'Connor, with Irish-bred Colorado Blue, scored 38.0 to put them in 34th place after 42 competitors at the end of session two.
The pair had started off well in a strong rhythm but halfway through the test, when the pair entered the canter work, Colorado Blue became nervous in the ring and O'Connor did well to keep things on track.
"Coming out of the ring and seeing that score, I am naturally disappointed. There is no hiding that fact," O'Connor said after his test.
"I don’t know where it went wrong, I think the horse got a little bit shy in the ring.
"From a horse that has been doing good flying changes, he was seeing imaginary show jumps tonight and getting a bit high! It is over now, and the beauty of this sport is that there are two more days to look forward to."
Sam Watson had earlier got the Irish Eventing team off to a positive start in dressage today, scoring a 34.3 with Tullabeg Flamenco.
That left the pair in 28th position after session two, with another session to follow tomorrow.
The eye-catching Irish Sport Horse gelding was composed and relaxed throughout the entire test.
A small error in the flying changes towards the end of the test cost them a few marks and, after the first session, Watson said he was looking forward to the next two phases, cross country and show jumping.
"I was pleased with the horse and I think the foundations were there," he said afterwards.
"The softness, suppleness, and relaxation were all there. I possibly didn't give him enough punch and enough X-Factor for what they are looking for at the Olympic Games. It was a little safe and then I made a small mistake, which was on me, I shouldn’t be missing changes at the Olympic Games.
"I am pretty happy with the horse; I am a little disappointed with the mark and there are a few things that I could have done better.
"I am looking forward to cross country. It is a rider’s course because he has given us a lot of choices. You have got to make decisions on the course and commit to your lines and stay focused and concentrating. I like that. I like to be thinking when I am on a course."
Similar to Irish Dressage Rider Heike Holstein, the Irish Eventing athletes are wearing a yellow ribbon for 15-year-old Tiggy Hancock who tragically passed away last month. Watson was close to Tiggy and he is wearing the token of respect with pride.
"She was someone I was lucky enough to train with and I think she was someone that could have been at the Olympics one day. To remember her is special and very important to us."
The final member of the team, Sarah Ennis and Horseware Woodcourt Garrison, will take to the stage tomorrow.
