Padraig McCarthy represented Ireland in eventing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, competing in both the individual and team competitions.

He was eliminated from the individual event after a fall during the cross-country phase, riding Simon Porloe. The Irish team – comprising McCarthy, Jonty Evans, Mark Kyle and Clare Abbott – finished 8th in the team competition. Ireland had qualified for Rio by finishing sixth at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy.

McCarthy came to eventing relatively late in his competitive career, having previously spent close to a decade as a showjumper at stables across Europe and the United States before switching to eventing in 2013. A native of Tipperary, he studied business at university, graduating with a first-class honours degree in Economics and Finance with German, before undertaking a PhD in business insolvency law, which he chose not to pursue in favour of a career with horses.

He was selected for Rio after winning the CIC3* class at Tattersalls International Horse Trials in June 2016.