Austin O’Connor in contention at Badminton with Colorado Blue

Ireland’s Austin O’Connor lies in second place at the Badminton Horse Trials after an incredibly difficult Cross Country test.

The Corkman, riding Colorado Blue, produced a gutsy round to finish just 20 seconds over the optimum time to be fastest of the day for a long period.

With just 10.8 penalties, O’Connor and Colorado Blue sit on a score of 42.7 penalties. Rosalind Canter is in front on Lordships Graffalo on 33.7 penalties.

British hope Oliver Townend is in third with the Irish Sport Horse Ballaghmore Class, three penalties behind O’Connor on 45.9.

Afterwards, O’Connor told how tough it was on the course, but was delighted with the performance.

“It’s very tough out there,” he said. “Dimensionally, it’s very big, a lot bigger than last year, and that took a lot of effort out of this ground.

“But my feeling was that if anything was going to go in that ground my horse would and he did – he duly obliged.”

Watch Austin O’Connor’s reaction to Cross Country Round here

 

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Susie Berry didn’t enjoy the same fortune on the course, however, and she retired from the competition when Ringwood LB (ISH) pulled up during their round.