Judy Reynolds qualifies for Friday’s Grand Prix Special

Judy Reynolds, Ireland's sole competitor in dressage at the Olympic Games, scored 74.700 per cent in Thursday's second session of the Grand Prix test and has qualified in 21st place for Friday's more technical Grand Prix Special.

Riding the Dutch Warmblood gelding Vancouver K, which is owned by her parents Joe and Kathleen Reynolds, the Kildare-born rider has become the first Irish competitor to qualify for the Olympic Grand Prix Special for 24 years.

Germany-based Reynolds mainly scored between 7 and 8 for each movement, although the judge at K, Germany's Peter Holler, awarded the rider 6.5 for her second piaffe and also for her second pirouette. Reynolds received her highest mark of 8.5 from Mexico's Maribel Alonso at M for her position and seat throughout the test.

The individual leader at present is Britain's reigning champion Charlotte Dujardin with Valegro (85.071) and she is followed by three members of the top-placed German team, Kristina Brorin-Sprehe riding Desperados (82.257), the last-to-go Isabell Werth on Weihegold (81.029) and Dorothee Schneider with Showtime (80.986).

The Germans are on a total of 81.295 per cent followed by Britain (79.252) and the USA (76.971). The Netherlands, who have just three riders remaining and so do not have the luxury of a discard score, are lying fourth overnight on 76.043. Also qualifying in the team completion are the fifth and six-placed nations of Sweden and Denmark.

The top 18 riders from Friday’s Grand Prix Special (and those tied for 18th place) will go through to the Freestyle (dressage to music) Final on Monday. This is a stand-alone competition which will decide the destination of the individual medals. Only three riders from each nation are eligible to compete in the Freestyle.

Saturday is a rest day from competition but the show jumpers will have a training session in the main arena at the Deodoro Stadium before their first qualifying round on Sunday.