Alice Casburn (Topspin, GBR*), 33.3 penalties

‘I am super excited to be here. I haven’t been to Millstreet before and it was such a great welcome from the town at the opening ceremony. I have had a real trip down memory lane with Topspin – we have done Juniors, Young Riders, five-stars and now another championship – and I feel quite emotional. It is wonderful to have a horse here that has done all this.’

Meg Pellegrini (Dondante, USA*), 33.3

‘I am just thrilled that my horse walked! This is a perfect atmosphere for him. The US has been so supportive, they want us to be on the world stage and they have given us so much confidence.’

Clara Cazeneuve (Dolce Gabana, FRA*), 31.7

‘This is my first time in Ireland, my first time on a French team and I am so happy. It’s so green here! My horse, who I have had since a five-year-old [eight years] likes dressage, cross-country and jumping! The cross-country is big and impressive and is very clear for the horses. The course-designer is brilliant because each jump comes after a turn.’

Isny O’ Donnell (Vital DK Z, IRL*), 41.0

‘We are both quite green at this level, but my horse, who is quite a quirky character, loves to be in the ring. Cross-country is his best phase.’

Ann-Catrin Bierlein (Sir Scotty, GER*), 40.0

‘If you look at it on paper, it is not a very good mark, but the dressage is difficult with this horse. I have had him for 10 years and got him because he wouldn’t do dressage. Being an arrogant German, I thought I could fix that, but I couldn’t. It’s sad because he is the most handsome horse and I absolutely love him, it’s not going to be a dressage competition. The cross-country looks “proper”, which is good for me.’

Kyle Charles Morton (Shannondale Gambit, CAN), 41.9

‘It is my first time competing in Ireland. I was expecting Millstreet to be quite and event and it is absolutely gorgeous. I ride all my other horses in a German way [he lives in Germany] but with this horse, who is Irish bred, it has to be in the Canadian way as I have had him since I was a teenager. I have done all my firsts with him.’

Lisa Gualtieri (A d’Aunis, FRA), 30.0

‘I only gave him a short warm-up because we know each other so well now. He gave me everything. We could have done a better second flying change, but that is more me than him. I am just taking the positives. The cross-country is beautiful and as we expected coming here.’

Jack Curtis (Luska Candy Clover, USA), 35.2

‘It is really special bringing this horse back here [he won at Millstreet as a four-year-old with Kelly Hutchinson]. I am super excited to be here. As soon as I heard about this championship it was something I targeted.’

Marcal Piro Patau (Eventing de Fay, ESP), 32.2

‘I feel at home in Ireland. I was feeling so lucky to come into this arena and was very happy with my horse. He did a good job.’

Amy Rose Fruhwith (Gin Tonic 150, AUT), 32.7

I am super happy to represent Austria at a world championship and that I am here with my boyfriend, who rides for Hungary [Nicolas Muller] and my family. I am really pleased with my horse, as he can go crazy in the dressage, and I like the cross-country: everything is clear for the horses.’

Caption:

Spanish individual rider Marcal Piro Patau and Eventing de Fay, who are lying fifth after the first day of dressage at the FEI European Eventing Championship U25 at Millstreet, Ireland, presented by Connollys RED MILLS. Please credit Pam Cunningham Irish Horse Board