DESPITE the tragic death of one of its horses, the Irish Eventing team pushed itself into fourth position after the cross-country stage of the European Eventing Championships at Punchestown today (Saturday).

Austin O'Connor's horse, <Horseware Fabio> died after stumbling at Fence No. 15, hitting its head on the second step of the fence. The rider sustained no serious injuries.

However, Austin's three team-mates - Susan Shortt, Trish Donegan and Sherelle Duke - produced such good performances that Ireland improved on its overnight 7th position to end the day in fourth.

Aside from a European Championship medal, Ireland must end the weekend in a position that will secure qualification for the 2004 Athens Olympics in 2004. With Britain and France previously qualified, this means in practice that Ireland must be one of the three teams in the top five at Punchestown, Britain and France currently holding the top two European Championship places.

With the show jumping phase to come tomorrow (Sunday), the depleted Irish team has to incur minimum penalties to remain in its present favourable position.

Individual rider Sasha Harrison, lying eighth overnight on <All Love Du Fenaud>, had an unfortunate refusal at the IFG Water jump, and with an accumulated total of 71 penalties, is now effectively out of individual medal contention.

EVENTING RESULTS: CHEUC (CCIO***) (European Eventing Championships)
PUNCHESTOWN IRELAND 18-21 SEPTEMBER 2003

TEAM RESULTS AFTER CROSS-COUNTRY PHASE
Saturday, September 20, 2003

1) GT. BRITAIN 135.60 Penalties
2) FRANCE 152.20 Penalties
3) BELGIUM 176.00 Penalties
4) IRELAND 235.40 Penalties
Susan Shortt: Just Beauty Queen 63.40
Patricia Donegan: Don't Step Back 83.40
Sherelle Duke: LA Temple Bar 88.60
Austin O'Connor: Horseware Fabio EL
5) GERMANY 312.20 Penalties
6) AUSTRIA 359.00 Penalties
7) ITALY 1135.20 Penalties
8) SWEDEN 1191.00 Penalties

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