Another Badminton podium for O’Connor and Salty

Armagh-bred Cooley Rosalent (ISH) propels Townend to runner-up behind Canter

Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue (photographed above, courtesy of Badminton) truly are the venerable operators of the eventing scene and they made all that experience count by finishing third for the second time in three seasons at the MARS Badminton Horse Trials this afternoon.

The 16-year-old Salty – Colorado Blue is owned by The Salty Syndicate and bred in Ireland by Kate Jarvey – and his 50-year-old pilot were Olympic partners in Paris last year, having followed up their 2023 podium result by winning the Maryland Horse Trials and providing Ireland with a first five-star eventing triumph in 58 years.

Today, they were ensuring Irish representation on the rostrum at Badminton for the third time in as many years, with their two outstanding results coming either side of Lucy Latta’s runner-up performance on RCA Patron Saint last year.

This truly is a spectacular run of success for Irish eventing, given that when O’Connor started it in 2023, he was the first Irish athlete in 40 years, since future racing legend Jessica Harrington, to podium at the prestigious show.

In an interesting piece of symmetry, the podium was a mirror image of two years ago, in human terms at least, with Rosalind Carter (GBR) and Lordships Graffalo repeating their victory and Oliver Townend in second, but this time on Irish Sport Horse Cooley Rosalent, bred in Co Armagh by J W Rosbotham.

O’Connor and Colorado Blue had given themselves a real chance with a fantastic dressage test which placed them in the top 20 at the end of the first phase of the competition.

They backed that up with a really exuberant effort around a testing cross-country course yesterday, delivering one of just six clear rounds that catapulted them up to fourth ahead of today’s jumping.

The Cork rider, a four-time Olympian, is one of the most popular athletes on the circuit and the character Colorado Blue possesses makes the grey gelding one of the most loved horses.

Little wonder then that the ovation they received entering the arena was among the most vociferous of the week.

And they delighted their many fans, doing what they needed to by leaving every rail intact and just incurring 0.4 of a time fault in a performance of absolute brilliance by horse and pilot.

That left them with a tally of 31.2 faults, which was enough to move them into the bronze medal position and O’Connor left no one in any doubt about how happy he was with his multiple fist pumps. The Cork rider planted a big kiss on Colorado Blue upon dismounting – it was very well deserved indeed.

“It’s been amazing, it’s very special,” said O’Connor afterwards in an interview full of trademark wit and honesty. “The horse is in great form. We’ve had an unbelievable week.

“Sadly if I was in a different era and these two weren’t around I’d have won two Badmintons. But there we go. History will tell you I’m competing with probably two of the best event horses there’s ever been so I can’t really grumble.

“I think (Colorado Blue) is probably one of the best horses eventing in the world and I think you’re looking at three of them here. They’re not flash in the pans, they’re unbelievable consistent horses. My lad is a little bit older but he doesn’t know that – just like me!

“Somebody said, ‘Where are you going in the autumn?’ and I said, ‘Where these two aren’t going.’

“It’s a magic feeling (when you jump a clear round). It’s a great privilege to be riding at Badminton. It’s a great privilege to be on the podium, to jump a clear round but it’s not simple in there. There’s a lot of pressure so I guess there’s so much relief as much as anything.

“The most pleasing aspect for me is how the horse jumped. I don’t think he’s ever jumped a round like that in his life.

“He’s an amazing horse and today was important because my jumping record hasn’t been bad, but it’s not been up to scratch. He’s not a bad jumper but he’s had an unlucky rail here and there, like at the Olympics and Burghley.

“But I knew in my heart of hearts he was still as good a jumper as ever, so it’s nice to put that straight.”

The Irish interest at the top of the table was accentuated by Townend and Cooley Rosalent (ISH), five-star victors in Kentucky, leading going into today’s jumping but they had one rail down.

“I couldn’t be happier with her,” said Townend of a mare that should still be approaching her prime. “I thought her performance was as good as any horse’s performance this week in terms of the way we did things. She had a fence down and she will come on for the run. She’s had a good experience. She’s 10 coming on for 11. She’s unreal really.”

That dropped them behind Canter and Lordships Graffalo, who had posted a flawless round to take the spoils with a tally of 25.3 penalties, to Townend’s 26.3.

Of the rest of the Irish, Ian Cassells and Master Point (ISH) had the first and last fences down when totalling 14.4 faults. That dropped the Dubliner three places to 13^th but it was an outstanding week overall .

Georgie Goss and Feloupe finished 28^th, with Susie Berry (pictured above) and Clever Trick (ISH) 29^th, Joseph Murphy and Calmaro 33^rd, Patrick Whelan and Ikoon Lan 36^th, Sam Watson and Ballyneety Rocketman (ISH) 40^th, Murphy and Belline Fighting Spirit 49^th and Sarah Ennis and Grantstown Jackson (ISH) 53^rd.

BREEDING

COOLEY ROSALENT (ISH) – 2014 grey mare by Valent (KWPN) out of Bellaney Jewel (TB) by Roselier (TB). Breeder J W Rosbotham, Co Armagh. Owners: Paul & Diana Ridgeon. Rider: Oliver Townend (GBR)

MASTER POINT (ISH) – 2013 bay gelding Pointiliste out of Chikari (ISH) by Kings Master (ISH). Breeder: Bridget McGing, Co Kildare. Owners: Brian & Bridget McGing & Ian Cassells. Rider: Ian Cassells (IRL)

CLEVER TRICK (ISH) – 2012 bay mare by Financial Reward out of Bonnie Dolly (ISH) by Bonnie Prince. Breeder: Vincent Cousins, Co Wicklow. Owners: Susannah Berry, Anne Marlin, Sue Wilkinson. Rider: Susie Berry (IRL)

BALLYNEETY ROCKETMAN (ISH) – 2014 bay stallion by Diamond Discovery (USA TB) our of Ballyneety Macrocket (ISH) by Errigal Flight (ISH). Bred by James Hickey, Co Limerick. Owner: Hannah & Sam Watson. Rider: Sam Watson (IRL).

GRANTSTOWN JACKSON (ISH) – 2011 brown gelding by Clover Brigade (ISH) out of Winning Lass (ISH) by Right Win. Breeder: Caroline Widger, Co Waterford. Owners: Peter Cole & Susanna Francke. Rider: Sarah Ennis (IRL)