Irish-bred horses take 5 of top 10 placings at Rolex Kentucky CCI4*

Francis Murray General May 2, 2017

The first 4* event of the 2017 season saw Irish-bred horses account for 50% of the top 10 placings at the Rolex Kentucky three day event.

The best of which was High Kingdom (ISH)(TIH), ridden by Great Britain’s Zara Tindall, who finished on their dressage score of 46.6 penalties, one of only two combinations to do so, taking 3^rd place. Hot on their heels in 4^th place was Phillip Dutton (USA) & 18 year old Mr Medicott (ISH)(TIH), showing that his age was not slowing him down and picking up the Roger Haller Memorial Trophy for the Rolex/USEF CCI4* Eventing National Championship in the process. Mr Medicott (ISH)(TIH) last competed at the Rolex event in 2012, under Karen O’Connor (USA), and also placed 4^th.

The Irish-bred Super Socks BCF ridden by Matthew Brown (USA) took 6^th place, followed by Fernhill Fugative (ISH) & Phillip Dutton (USA) in 7^th position. DeLux Z (ISH) & Kurt A Martin (USA) finished in 9^th position, adding another Irish Sport Horse to the top 10.

The top 20 saw another 3 Irish-bred Horses being added to the list; LCC Barnaby (ISH) & Share Option, both ridden by Lillian Heard (USA) to 13^th & 14^th places respectively. Luckaun Quality (ISH) and Team Ireland Equestrian rider Tim Bourke finished in 16^th position after producing the fastest cross country round of the day with no jumping penalties.

Tim Bourke & Luckaun Quality (ISH). Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RolexKentucky/

Only 39 of 59 starters completed the CCI4* event, and Irish-bred horses made up 49% of these finishers.

With results like the above, it demonstrates why the Irish horses really are the leading event horses in the world. If you are looking for your next event horse remember to visit www.irishhorsegateway.ie . Buy the best, buy Irish!

For a full list of Irish bred results at Rolex Kentucky CCI4*, please click HERE

For a full list of Irish breeding at Rolex Kentucky CCI4*, please click HERE