As you read this, Ireland’s eventing team are preparing for the dressage phase of their Olympic challenge.

However just before their departure from quarantine in Aachen, Germany, I had the chance to talk with team manager Sally Corscadden about preparation and plans for the challenge coming up on Sunday.

“Due to three days of torrential rain, our time here in Aachen was not ideal,” she told me.

“The gallops had to be closed but the sand arenas were workable,” Sally noted.

She went on to say that COVID-19 has made the whole year all the more testing. It was difficult moving around and having events cancelled. It’s been one step at a time. In a spirit of co-operation teams have been helping each other. We all just want to get there and make a good competition.”

As to the horses she said all four on the travelling team were in “good shape”.

Cathal Daniels, Sarah Ennis and Sam Watson are her starting three. But she made the point that at any stage during the three phase competition her alternate Austin O’Connor may need to be called upon.

Cross country

Asked what her views were on coping with Derek de Grazie’s cross country course she replied with good balance and confidence.

“I saw his courses at the test Olympics two years ago and also at Kentucky. So we have a fair idea of what he likes to do. Our team has been training very well for lots of technical lines – every question and test we could think of. Under the new format of just three riders with no dropped score it is going to be a very open and high risk competition. It gives everyone a chance. But it puts a lot of pressure on each rider – one mistake and that’s it for the team.”

Sally was hoping for a late draw, adding:“If you are further down it gives you a better chance to cope. When it comes to your last horse you can know to, perhaps, take a bit more time. But if you are in the first five then you just have to go for it.”

As to her own feelings she declared: “I am really excited and honoured to lead a team to what is the ultimate sporting event.”

Finally she paid tribute to her backroom team of vet Marcus Swail, farrier Nigel Perrott, physio Davide Focardi, dressage coach Tracie Robinson, show jumping coach Grant Wilson and athlete physio Clare Marie Currie.

“They are all great at finding solutions - so fingers crossed,” she concluded.