Ireland's Austin O'Connor and Captain Geoff Curran will line out in the first group of riders as the dressage phase of the Olympic three-day-event gets underway at the equestrian venue at Sha Tin in Hong Kong at 11.30pm Irish-time tonight.
All five Irish horses passed the first veterinary inspection with flying colours and team veterinary surgeon Marcus Swail confirmed that they are in good shape ahead of the Olympic contest.
A total of 11 nations are taking part in the eventing medal race, and British-based Cork man O'Connor will register the first Irish score riding the French-bred gelding Hobby du Mee while army man Curran rides Kilkishen, the horse with which he won the Eventing World Cup qualifier at Tattersalls in Fairyhouse earlier in the summer.
Louise Lyons and Watership Down will compete in the second group, while Patricia Donegan and Fernhill Clover Mist and Niall Griffin and Lorgaine will be in action on Sunday morning.
The cross-country will take place at Beas River, a 30-minute drive away from Sha Tin, on Monday morning and the final showjumping phase will be staged on Tuesday.
