Team Ireland reached the Olympic eventing team final, they were in eighth after the cross country. Now they had the jumping event with high hopes of a good finish
The Ireland team is made of four riders and horses; Sam Watson on Flamenco, Austin O’Connor on Colorado Blue, Sarah Ennis on Woodcourt Garrison and Cathal Daniels riding Rioghan Rua.
This Irish team came to the Equestrian Park in high spirits after posting a penalty score of 161.00 landing them in eighth. In the jumping category they planned to improve to outscore Italy and Germany ahead of them.
This competition looked to be a battle between Great Britain, Australia and France for the medals after the first day of riding.
The top 25 riders would also qualify for the Equestrian eventing individual final tonight at 12:45.
Sarah Ennis was up first for Ireland riding Woodcourt Garrison. The Howth woman received a disappointing total penalties score of 79.70 after four faults.
She performed perfectly over the first five fences and again rode well over a tough triple jump later on.
Sarah Ennis & Horseware Woodcourt Garrison (ISH) have 4 faults in the SJ and finish on an overall total of 79.70 Currently in 6th position with 37 left to go.#TeamIreland #Tokyo2020 #IRL #EquestrianEventing @HorseSportIRL @SarahEnnisEvent pic.twitter.com/yM57gY0OiE
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) August 2, 2021
Next up an hour later was Carlow’s Sam Watson riding the Irish-bred Flamenco. He got 55.30 in penalty scores with the team positions remaining the same as the last round.
He was in 20th overall, after being frustrated in the cross country event but finished strong.
Sam Watson & Tullabeg Flamenco (ISH) have 8 faults in the SJ and finish on an overall total of . Currently in 12th position with 19 left to go.#TeamIreland #Tokyo2020 #IRL #EquestrianEventing @HorseSportIRL pic.twitter.com/X4IXaDe4ka
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) August 2, 2021
Last up for Ireland was Austin O’Connor riding the 2009 gelding Colorado Blue. He stood a chance of making the individual final after doing well in the cross country.
He ended his run with four faults with an individual total of 42.00. That put him as Ireland’s best competitor with a chance of the Eventing Jumping finals.
Austin O’Connor & Colorado Blue have 4 faults in the SJ and finish on an overall total of 42.00. Currently in 12th position with 7 left to go. Top 25 qualify for the Individual final 🤞🏼#TeamIreland #Tokyo2020 #IRL #EquestrianEventing @HorseSportIRL pic.twitter.com/1T2bellTSH
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) August 2, 2021
After 10 more riders, O’Connor finished in 18th, giving him another day of riding Colorado Blue at the Equestrian Park.
Team Ireland ended up finishing in eighth place sandwiched between Italy and China.
After Oliver Townsends last run, he guaranteed Team GB’s spot on the top of the podium. Australia took silver while France won bronze.
