IRISH Sport Horses are well positioned on the leaderboard after Saturday's cross-country phase at the four-star Rolex Kentucky three-day event in the USA, with two Irish horses in the top three and no less than seven Irish Sport Horses in the top 25.

Fernhill Fugitive (ISH), (pictured), who was bred by Maurice Cousins from Barnadown Stud in Co Wexford, lies in second place with American rider Philllip Dutton.

The 12-year-old gelding Mighty Nice (ISH), who was bred by William Kells is just one place further back in third – again ridden by Dutton. Mighty Nice was previously ridden by Ireland's Joseph Murphy before being sold to the United States.

Super Socks BCF (ISH) lies in 13th place with Matthew Brown (USA), while the only Irish rider in the field, Timothy Bourke, is in 17th place with another Irish Sport Horse, Luckaun Quality (ISH) who was bred by Ronan Sheehan from Co Laois.

Harbour Pilot (ISH) who was bred at Kilbride Stud in Co Wicklow by Jacqueline Mars is in 20th place with Hannah-Sue Burnett (USA), while Copper Beach (ISH) is in 22nd with Buck Davidson (USA). The 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding LLC Barnaby, bred by Martin Collins in Co Meath, is one place further back with Lillian Heard (USA).

Germany’s Michael Jung leads the field heading into Sunday's final show jumping phase aboard Fischerrocana FST.

The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is one of the most prestigious competitions on the International Eventing Circuit and part of the FEI Classics Series.

Irish-bred entries for Rolex CCI4* 2016 (alphabetical by rider):

Luckaun Quality (ISH) – 2005 gelding by OBOS Quality (OLD) out of Colwyn Bay (ISH) by Cavalier

Royale (HOLST) Breeder: Ronan Sheehan (Laois). Rider: Timothy Bourke (IRL)

Super Socks BCF – 2006 gelding. Rider: Matthew Brown (USA)

Courage Under Fire (ISH) – 2003 mare by Courage II (HOLST) out of Seaview Comfort (ISH) by

Ballygarrett Glen (TB). Breeder: Mairead Byrne (Wicklow). Rider: Katherine Coleman (USA)

OBOS O’Reilly (ISH) – 2003 gelding by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD) out of Omard Clover Queen. (ISH)(TIH) by Clover Hill (ID). Breeder: Brian O’Reilly (Cavan). Rider: William Coleman (USA)

Ringwood Magister (ISH)(TIH) – 2001 gelding by Master Imp (TB) out of Cloonkeen View. (ISH)(TIH)

by Carrabawn View (ID). Breeder: Adrian P Bourke (Mayo). Rider: Tiana Coudray (USA)

Park Trader (ISH)(TIH) – 2002 gelding by Master Imp (TB) out of Ballyhast Polly (ISH) by Highland King (ISH). Breeder: Christopher Bailey (Wexford). Rider: Bruce Davidson Jnr. (USA)

Copper Beach – 2006 gelding by Radolin (KWPN). Rider: Bruce Davidson Jnr. (USA)

Ballynoecastle RM (ISH) – 2000 gelding by Ramiro B (BWP) out of Ballyvallon Natalie (ISH) by Blue Laser (TB). Breeder: Sylvester Cullen (Wexford). Rider: Bruce Davidson Jnr. (USA)

Fernhill Fugitive (ISH) – 2005 gelding by Lux Z (HANN) out of Barnadown Ramiro (ISH) by Ramiro B (BWP). Breeder: Maurice Cousins (Wexford). Rider: Phillip Dutton (USA)

Mighty Nice (ISH) – 2004 gelding by Ard Ohio (KWPN) out of Sarazen (ISH). Breeder: William Kells (Cavan). Rider: Phillip Dutton (USA)

HHS Cooley (ISH) – 2004 gelding by Clover Echo (ISH) out of Flown (ISH) by Imperius (TB). Breeder: Thomas Hughes (Kilkenny). Rider: Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (USA)

Fernhill By Night (ISH) – 2003 gelding by Radolin (KWPN) out of Argentina XII (OLD) by Argentinus (HANN). Breeder: Etter Sports Horses Ltd (Offaly). Rider: Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (USA)

LCC Barnaby (ISH) – 2006 gelding by Guy Cavalier (ISH) out of Lady Tanjour (ISH) by Rafael (KWPN).Breeder: Martin Collins (Meath). Rider: Lillian Heard (USA)

Share Option. – 2002 gelding. Rider: Lillian Heard (USA)

Sir Donovan (ISH) – 2002 gelding by VDL Arkansas (KWPN) out of Flown (ISH) by Imperius (TB). Breeder: Thomas Hughes (Kilkenny). Rider: Philippa Humphreys (USA)

Master Frisky (ISH)(TIH) – 2004 gelding by Master Imp (TB) out of Frisky Legs (ISH) by Coopers Hill

(ID). Breeder: Sean Power (Kilkenny). Rider: Boyd Martin (USA)

Delux Z (ISH) – 2005 gelding by Lux Z (HANN) out of Drumin Imp (ISH) by Master Imp (TB). Breeder: Tom Finn (Carlow). Rider: Kurt A Martin (USA)

Clip Clop (ISH)(TIH) – 2003 gelding by Crosstown Dancer (ID) out of Terrific Star (TB) by Wolverlife (TB). Breeder: Sandra Byrne (Dublin). Rider: Joe Meyer (NZL)

Bango (ISH) – 2006 gelding by Garrison Royal (ISH) out of No Sale (ISH) by Don Tristan (TB). Breeder: James Foley (Wexford). Rider: Tim Price (NZL)

Ballylaffin Bracken (ISH) – 2000 gelding by Ricardo Z (ZANG) out of Ballylaffin Florence (WNTR) by Hildenley (TB). Breeder: Catherine Long (Tipperary). Rider: Kristin Schmolze (USA)

Fernhill Fearless – 2000 gelding by Mark Twain (TB). Rider: Ryan Wood (USA)

Harbour Pilot (ISH)- 2003 gelding by Cruising (ISH) Breeder: Jacqueline Mars. Rider:Hannah Sue BURNETT (USA)