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Sarah Ennis and Action Lady M. Libby Law/INPHO

O'Connor leads the way but Irish eventing team dealt blow

Sarah Ennis has been ruled out after an injury to Action Lady M.

LAST UPDATE | 28 Jul

AUSTIN O’CONNOR LED the way for Ireland on day two of the eventing in Versailles at the 2024 Olympic Games.

Sarah Ennis, meanwhile, was ruled out after an injury to Lady M in a significant blow to the Irish team’s medal hopes.

First alternate, Aoife Clark will step up on Sportsfield Freelance in tomorrow’s show jumping but with 20 penalty points added to Ireland’s tally, they are now in ninth overall.

“It’s obviously very disappointing, especially for Sarah and for the horse – they were incredible out there today, jumped their hearts out,” said Dag Albert, Eventing Team Manager. 

“Action Lady M has picked up a little injury, nothing serious, and she’ll be fully recovered very soon, but the horse always comes first in these situations and that’s why we’ve made the decision to substitute Aoife in with Sportsfield Freelance.

“I’m so proud of Sarah, Susie [Berry] and Austin for their performances today, and now Aoife replaces Sarah in tomorrow’s show jumping. 

“We came here as a team of four and now Aoife steps in to compete. That’s the nature of it and I have no doubt she will jump brilliantly tomorrow for the team.”

O’Connor delivered a foot-perfect clear cross country round within the time on board Colorado Blue to jump to 14th individually.

O’Connor and his dashing grey came home one second under the limit to remain on his dressage score of 31.7.

“He was electric,” said O’Connor, who is competing in his fourth Olympics.

“Even with his reputation on the cross-country it’s a massive mighty relief to have it behind us. He was super the whole way around. He was quick, he was good, He did what he’s good at – clear inside the time for the second time at an Olympics. He’s just a phenomenal horse , and I’m beginning to hope he stays around forever.”

“I’ve never ridden in an atmosphere like this, it’s incredible, unbelievable – from the get-go to the finish,” he added on the 40,000 crowd present.

Earlier, Ennis got the team off to an almost perfect start to day two. Ennis and Action Lady M came home on a score of 41.2 after a clear round with just 3.2 time penalties to bring the Irish back into contention.

“She was incredible – where the crowds didn’t help in the dressage ring, they actually helped out there today,” Ennis said. 

“I’ve never seen so many people! She can be a little spooky and she actually backed away from the crowds, and I could ride around the turns. I stuck to the plan, and she was on it all the way.

“The ground hasn’t dried overnight and I nearly slipped in the woods but that was the only real scare. She actually lost a couple of shoes out on the track so fair dues to her – it really was a brilliant performance.”

Berry followed up with another clear round on board Wellfields Lincoln, finishing with 15.2 time penalties. After a score of 33.0 in dressage yesterday, Berry moves to 48.2 after day two.

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