Morale in the Irish camp at the European championships - where Lucy Thompson defends her individual title this week - is one of quiet confidence, even though the mood at Burghley is sombre following the death of Irish rider Sam Moore in a cross-country fall at Blenheim last Sunday.

Many Irish supporters have made the journey over to Lincolnshire to watch their team take on riders from 19 worldwide nations, even though the medals are restricted to the European challengers.

The squad now has to focus on the enormous challenge posed by Mike Tucker's 30-fence cross-country track, which Irish pathfinder David Foster described yesterday as "massive", suggesting that the course is far closer to four-star than the three-star level now designated for European championships.

Two years ago in Rome, when Lucy Thompson's individual gold also clinched team bronze for Ireland, the British foursome proved unbeatable and will be strong again.