PARIS will be the second running of the three riders to a team format that was introduced ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. All three scores count, but there are rules allowing a reserve to be substituted into the team after the competition starts, in certain circumstances.

The dressage test is shorter than usual and written especially for the Olympic Games. The cross-country course is designed by Pierre Le Goupil and the optimum time will be approximately 9 minutes 2 seconds.

There will be two rounds of show jumping on the final day; everyone jumps the first round at a height of 1.25m to decide the team medals, before the top 25 combinations go forward to a second 1.30m round for the individual medals.

Substitutions

Combinations can be substituted if eliminated, withdrawn or retired and the team incur a 20-point penalty. Changes are made for medical/veterinarian reasons only and cannot be tactical.

Substitutions are not allowed if the starting combination is eliminated for abuse of the horse or otherwise disqualified.

A pre-competition change up to two hours before the start of the first dressage competition does not incur any penalties. All reserve horses must also pass the horse inspection.

A horse/rider combination will receive 100 penalties for failing to complete the dressage phase.

Similarly, failure to complete the final show jumping phase will also earn them an extra 100 penalties. For a cross-country non-completion, combinations will be handed a hefty 200 penalties.

In Ireland's case, Sarah Ennis completed the cross-country, so the team will only incur the 20 penalties for a substitution.

How to watch

RTÉ will broadcast the cross-country and show jumping action from the eventing competition in Paris, commentated on by The Irish Field’s Brendan McArdle, alongside Ciaran Glynn and analyst Lt Col Tom Freyne.

BBC will also broadcast part of the equestrian action. However, every minute of the action belongs to Eurosport and will be streamed on Discovery+. A subscription to Discovery+ costs €6.99 per month, and lets you tune in on a wide range of devices, as well as the Eurosport TV channels.

Eventing timetable

Saturday, July 27th

Dressage 9.30am (Paris) 8.30am (Irish time)

Sunday, July 28th

Cross country 10.30am (Paris) 9.30am (Irish time)

Monday, July 29th

Jumping and medals 11am (Paris) 10am (Irish time)