Badminton 2017 Round-Up

Francis Murray General May 8, 2017

Irish bred event horses were a popular choice of mount at the CCI4* Badminton Horse Trials 2017, making up almost 40% of entries.

The top 10 finishers included 2 Irish bred horses, Arctic Soul (TB) (IRE) ridden by Gemma Tattersall (GBR) in 7^th place & The Duke of Cavan (ISH) with Japanese rider Yoshiaki Oiwa in 8^th. A further 6 featured in the top 20; Sportsfield Othello (ISH) & Team Ireland Equestrian’s Joseph Murphy finished best of the Irish in 13^th followed by Euro Prince (ISH) & Clare Abbott (IRL) in 14^th, ODT Ghareeb (ISH) & Oliver Townend (GBR) took 16^th place, Graf Liberty (ISH) & Christopher Burton (AUS) in 18^th, My Royal Touch (ISH) & Lydia Hannon (GBR) in 19^th while Cooley Rorkes Drift (ISH) & Jonty Evans (IRL) finished in 20^th position.

The cross country phase had a completion rate of 60.5% and 49% of these were aboard Irish bred horses. 40% of those who came home without any jumping penalties were also riding an Irish bred horse.

Moving onto the show jumping phase, only 12 competitors managed to jump a clear round and finish inside the time. Irish bred eventers once again showed their talent, making up half of these clear rounds.

46 combinations finished the event, 22 of which were on Irish bred mounts, equalling 48% of all finishers.

The Duke of Cavan (ISH) & Yoshiaki Oiwa (JPN) sail through the mirage pond at Badminton CCI4*
Photo credit: William Carey

Those riding Irish bred horses picked up several awards, Yoshiaki Oiwa (JPN) were awarded the Silver Jubilee Plate for the Best Owner/Rider aboard The Duke Of Cavan (ISH). Joseph Murphy (IRL) & Sportsfield Othello (ISH) won the Glentrool Trophy for Horse & Rider who have made greatest improvement on their dressage placing as well as the Armada Dish for five completions of Badminton. Gemma Tattersall (GBR), The Soul Syndicate & Arctic Soul (TB) (IRE) picked up the Farriers Prize for the Best Shod Horse. Imogen Murray (GBR) and Ivar Gooden (ISH) won a saddle from the Worship Company of Saddlers as the rider with the best score who is under 25 on 1st January 2016.

For full breeding details click HERE

For full Irish bred results at Badminton CCI4* click HERE