HATHERLEIGH based eventer Padraig McCarthy, who was competing for Ireland at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, suffered a dramatic fall in the cross country element to the three-day eventing contest in Brazil.

McCarthy fell from his mount Simon Porloe at fence 17B on the challenging course when his horse caught his hind legs in the fence.

He was lying 26th in the individual competition after the two-day dressage section before the fall. Fortunately for Padraig, both horse and jockey were able to return to their feet after the fall, though his steed appeared lame and was unable to continue.