By David Martin, PA Sport, Sydney

Ireland's equestrian team produced the country's best performance on the third day of the Sydney Olympics in the Team Three-Day Event in Sydney.

Susan Shortt, Patricia Donegan, Nicola Cassidy and Virginia McGrath were lying sixth as Australia edged closer to winning the gold medal at Horsley Park on day two of the event.

The host nation will go into the closing day with a score of 114.20 after the cross country section, widening their lead to 12.8 penalties in front of Great Britain with New Zealand a surprise third on 151.20.

Now the Irish squad - whose score of 239.40 trails the United States (160.80) and Germany (220.80) - will be looking for a final flourish when the showjumping gets under way on Tuesday morning.

A top-six place looks on the cards with seventh-placed Brazil trailing them on 266 penalties, while the remaining nations are struggling after only seven of the 12 teams completed the endurance section.

Individually after the dressage and cross country, the determined quartet of Shortt (70), Donegan (65.80), Cassidy (119.20) and McGrath 103.60 will be striving to maintain the momentum.

Donegan said: "The ride was brilliant, and Don't Step Back got tired coming home. But he is greener than the other horses. Nothing ever fazed him except the heat."

Riding Mr Mullins, Cassidy said: "The course rode super. It was a nice flowing track. However, the ground didn't suit my horse. He was rusty and lacking in concentration."