Irish Sport Horses dominate at 2019 Badminton Horse Trials as Vanir Kamira (ISH) wins – Three Irish riders finish inside top 17

The Irish Sport Horse Vanir Kamira (ISH) bred by Kathryn Jackson in Co Monaghan and ridden by Piggy French (GBR), has won the 2019 Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trials in the UK. In another incredible result for Irish breeding, Irish Sport Horses filled all of the top six places and eight of the top 10 spots on the final leaderboard.

In what was a thrilling climax to the final Show Jumping phase, French and Vanir Kamira (ISH) produced a perfect clear round inside the time to finish on a score of 26.8. They watched on as last to go Ballaghmor Class (ISH) ridden by Oliver Townend, entered the arena with a cushion of one fence and one time penalty. They crossed the line with one fence down but when they also added 1.6 time penalties to finish on 27.1, French and Vanir Kamira (ISH) became champions. Third place on the podium went to Cooley Lands (ISH) ridden by Christopher Burton (AUS) on a score of 28.1.

Co Down’s Clare Abbott and Euro Price (ISH) finished best of the Irish riders in 12th place. They lowered a single fence in the final phase along with 0.4 time penalties to finish on 46.6. Just as they had done in Saturday’s Cross Country, Ciaran Glynn and November Night (ISH)(TIH) jumped clear and added just time penalties to finish 14th on 46.9. An excellent clear round inside the time saw Michael Ryan and Dunlough Striker (ISH) finish 17th on 50.3.

Irish Eventing team manager Sally Corscadden was very happy with the Irish performance and said:

“It was great to have three Irish riders finishing inside the top 20 at Badminton as it’s always a tough competition. We saw some very good jumping performances. Obviously it was disappointing for Padraig [McCarthy] that he had to withdraw with Mr Chunky before the final phase but he will be back for another day. On the whole it was very positive.”

BREEDING – Badminton 2019
1st Vanir Kamira (ISH) – 2005 mare by Camiro De Haar Z (ZANG) out of Fair Caledonian (WNTR) by Dixi (TB). Breeder: Kathryn Jackson (Monaghan). Rider: Piggy French (GBR)

2nd Ballaghmor Class (ISH) – 2007 gelding Courage II (HOLST) out of Kilderry Place (ISH). Breeder: Noel Hickey (Limerick). Rider: Oliver Townend (GBR)

3rd Cooley Lands (ISH) – 2008 gelding by Cavalier Land (ISH) out of Clover Light Girl (ISH)(TIH) by Clover Hill (ID). Breeder: Peter Rice (Monaghan). Rider: Christopher Burton (AUS)

4th Graf Liberty (ISH) by Limmerick (HOLST) out of Lisheen Star (ISH). Damsire: Cavalier Royale.
Breeder: Brian Livingstone. Rider: Christopher Burton (AUS).

5th Swallow Springs. (ISH) – 2008 gelding by Chillout (ISH) out of Kilila (ISH) by Cult Hero (TB). Breeder: Maria Keating (Galway). Rider: Andrew Nicholson (NZL)

6th Cillnabradden Evo (ISH) – 2006 stallion by Creevagh Ferro Ex Siebe (KWPN) out of Willow Gardenb [ISH] by King Henry (ID) Breeder: Tom & Orla Holden (Meath). Rider: Oliver Townend (GBR)

8th Ivar Gooden (ISH) – 2007 gelding by Young Convinced (TB) out of Ballybrohan Diamond (ISH). by Coevers
Diamond Boy (ISH). Breeder: Pat Coffey. Rider: Imogen Murray (GBR)

10th Ringwood Sky Boy. (ISH) – 2003 gelding by Courage II (HOLST) out of Sky Lassie (ISH) by Sky Boy (TB). Breeder: Myles Mahon (Wexford). Rider: Tim Price (NZL)

12th Euro Prince (ISH) – 2003 gelding by Lougheries Quiet Man (unk) out of Miss Tullydraw (unk). Breeder: Cormac McKay (Armagh). Rider: Clare Abbott (IRL)

14th November Night (ISH) – 2006 mare by Bonnie Prince (TB) out of Coolnalee Kate (ISH), by Flagmount King (ID). Breeder: Pat Doherty, Co. Waterford. Owner: Susanna Franke & Peter Cole. Rider: Ciaran Glynn (IRL)

17th Dunlough Striker (ISH) – 2005 gelding by Maltstriker (KWPN) out of Beau Rua (ISH), by Beau Royale (TB). Breeder: Kevin Nolan (Clare). Rider: Michael Ryan (IRL)