As the show jumpers were romping to victory in the British Nations Cup at Hickstead for the second year in a row, the event riders were performing in similarly sweltering conditions at Blarney Castle in Co Cork. But it was New Zealander Paul O'Brien who stole the home side's thunder by sweeping into the lead in the two-star competition.
O'Brien earned top marks from two of the three dressage judges for his work with the 10-year-old Horoscope, which is gearing up for the Dutch three-star in Boekelo this autumn.
Winning marks from the other member of the trio, Sue Stewart, were reserved for Tipperary-based Briton Fraser Duffy, who had held the lead on Thursday and is now second going into today's cross- country with the mare Oakengrove Rainbow. Two of Ireland's young riders, Alex Hynds (Eggor McGreggor) and Rozzie Watson (Floating) are next best. Trevor Smith, another Olympic debutant in Sydney, picked up a catch ride for the one-star when his older brother Steven had to pull out with a back injury after being trampled by a young horse.
But Smith made the most of this unexpected opportunity and now holds all the aces, leading the one-star field by a slim margin from Caroline Bjoerk and Just Nimbus.
The three-star invitational, is headed by 23-year-old Paul Dempsey on the Sea Crest gelding Pepe le Pew, with Co Cork Swissman Heinz Wehrli almost five marks adrift on Kilnacross.
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