SARAH Ennis has been ruled out of the remainder of the Paris Olympic Games as her mount, Action Lady M, picked up an injury on today’s (Sunday) cross-country.

The 10-year-old mare stormed around the track producing a classy round and completed with just 3.2 time penalties but, on inspection later in the day, she was found to have a small injury and will not continue in the competition.

Aoife Clark now comes into the team for tomorrow’s final show jumping phase with Sportsfield Freelance, an 11-year-old mare by Da Vinci who was bred by Sharon Hallahan.

Ireland will have to carry 20 penalties for the substitution, which will leave them on a team score of 141.10 ahead of the show jumping in ninth place (they are currently ranked eighth without the 20 penalties added).

Susie Berry picked up 15.2 time penalties when second out on course with Wellfields Lincoln, before Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue rode a magnificent clear round inside the time to keep himself in the hunt individually. He currently sits in 14th place.

Germany’s Michael Jung has taken over the lead from Britain’s Laura Collett with a clear round inside the time aboard Chipmunk to stay on his dressage score of 17.8. Collett added just 0.80 of a time penalty to her record-breaking dressage score to sit in second on 18.30. Australia’s Chris Burton remains in the bronze medal position overnight after a masterful clear with Shadow Man (22.0).

Britain lead the way in the teams (82.50), but there was shock when Germany’s second rider, Christophe Wahler, fell on course to drop Germany out of contention. The home nation of France have moved up to second (87.20) ahead of Japan in the bronze medal position (93.80).

How do substitutions work?

Combinations can be substituted if eliminated, withdrawn or retired and the team incur a 20-point penalty.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 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.

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