McCarthy second in Ballindenisk 3 star

Ireland’s Olympic hopeful Padraig McCarthy today claimed second place in the 3 star eventing class which concluded in Ballindenisk, Co Cork. Riding Bernadette Utopia the combination completed the three day event without adding  any cross country or Jumping penalties to their dressage score. Ireland’s Joseph Murphy finished 7th with Gorsehill Pearl, an Irish Sport Horse which was purchased at last years Goresbrisge Go for Gold eventing sale. The class was won by Great Britain’s, three time Olympic medalist – Pippa Funnel riding Billy The Biz.

The Cork venue saw combinations from seven different nations and over 140 horse and rider combinations competing over the weekend. The Irish Eventing Team scored a runner-up finish in yesterday’s (Sunday) home leg of the FEI Nations Cup series at Ballindenisk, holding off a strong challenge from France who had to settle for third while Great Britain took the winner’s prize.

In the 2 star class, Ireland’s Elizabeth Hayden finished 4th riding Loughnatousa Joey. Great Britain’s Francis Whittington took the honours in this class with an impressive performance aboard the Irish Sport Horse Cavalier Venture.

Speaking about the weekend, Ireland’s Eventing High Performance Manager Nick Turner said; “ It was a great weekend of sport with a good international field, a great performance from the Irish team which puts Ireland in equal first place after the first two FEI Nations Cup competitions topped with a great performance from Padriag McCarthy riding Bernadette Utopia a promising horse for the future.”

ENDS