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Before continuing on our pictorial tour of the Cross Country I would like to remind our readers that all photos which appear on this site are subject to copyright and any infringement will be dealt with legally - this includes it not being permitted to use them on other web sites be they personal or commercial without copyright permission.

All the Cross Country photos have been taken by our Photographic Editor, Maggs Jacob.
Above Left and Right and also Below Left and Right: Magnus Gallerdal (SWE) and Music Man were doing well until the 13yo brown gelding decided he had actually had enough and unceremoniously dumped Magnus in the "drink". Magnus made the decision to retire after this probably realising that his 38th position after Dressage was not going to improve sufficiently to make it worthwhile continuing - he will be back to fight another day!
Left and Right: Margit Appelt (AUT) and 11 year old grey gelding Ice on Fire did not have a great dressage score coming into Cross Country but they put in a great cross
phase which moved them up from their 53rd provisional position after Dressage and on the final score sheet they were placed in 43rd position. As they were going through the IFG Water they faced another of the unbelievable downpours which hit intermittently throughout the day at Punchestown.
Above Left and Right: Constantin van Rijckervorsel (BEL) and the 8 year old gelding took the long option which was probably a good idea with a horse so young but having said that he looked confident throughout this demanding course. They finished in 29th position in the final tally.

Above Right and Left: Mark Kyle (IRE) and Drunken Disorderly (what a great name for a horse!) made short work of the Ulster Bank Crannogs and continued through to completion with a final standing at number 17th in the placings. Mark was the second highest placed of the irish contingent.

The Ulster Bank Crannogs carried a difficulty rating of 7 on this course. To give you some history on this complex: The Crannogs have been a star attraction at Punchestown since 1991 when they were introduced to the course. Crannogs were used as both island forts and dwelling places as early as the first century BC and as late as the 17th Century. Here, with the new thatching and surrounded by Irish wattles, they form a potent symbol for the Punchestown Cross Country. Their positioning at Fence 22 and likely effect on the concentration of the horses will also form a challenging focus for the riders.

The Trainers notes on this fence read: This requires great control and accuracy, which is always difficult at this stage of the course if the horse is tired. Although the distances are basically correct and made to suit most horses the vertical nature of the first fence, the narrowness of the well and the line required all give little room for error. The easier option coming fromt he right still demands accuracy and obedience.

The easiest rated fence on the course was early in the course at Number 9 - the Punchestown Double Bank which is the classic irish fence.

The Trainers notes on this fence: Although this can be regarded as one of the easiest fences a slip is always possible and the riders will be well advised to sit "defensively" which means they stay slightly behind the movement of their horses.

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