Irish Eventing riders climb leaderboard after action-packed Badminton Cross Country – Irish Sport Horses fill 3 of top 5 places

A strong showing by several Irish Eventing riders in today’s (Saturday) Cross Country phase at Badminton Horse Trials in the UK, saw big changes on the leaderboard heading into Sunday’s final Show Jumping.

Ireland’s Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue (Photo: Irish Eventing Times)

Cork’s Austin O’Connor and the Irish-bred gelding Colorado Blue, owned by the Salty Syndicate, showed the form that saw them finish 13th at the Tokyo Olympic Games when producing a brilliant clear Cross Country round inside the time to climb a massive 45 places to 13th overall. O’Connor was the first rider to come home clear inside the time allowed – one of just five riders to do so –  to stay on his Dressage score of 35.9.

Ireland’s Clare Abbott and The Irish Sport Horse Jewelent also came home without jumping penalties, adding just 4 time penalties to their Dressage score and now lie in 16th place overall on 37.2. Elizabeth Power and Soladoun were also among the Irish combinations who made big gains on the standings. A clear round with 6.4 time pens saw them rise to 20th place on 39.4, while Susie Berry and The Irish Sport Horse John The Bull are now in 22nd position on 41.6.

It was a fantastic afternoon for Irish Sport Horses who now fill three of the top five places. Swallow Springs (ISH) is in second place with Oliver Townend (GBR) on 25.7, while Townend is also in third place with another Irish Sport Horse, Ballaghmor Class on 25.9. Vanir Kamira (ISH) and Piggy March (GBR) are now in fifth place just 5.1 penalties behind British leader Laura Collett with London 52 who remain on their excellent Dressage score of 21.0.

Badminton Horse Trials will conclude on Sunday with the final Show Jumping phase.

Full Badminton scores available HERE