Badminton runner-up finish for Irish-bred Cooley Rosalent (ISH) as Cork-born Austin O’Connor takes third

Badminton 2025 runners-up Cooley Rosalent (ISH) and Oliver Townend (GBR) (Photo Irish Eventing Times)

The 11-year-old mare Cooley Rosalent (ISH) bred in Co Armagh by Woods Rosbotham, added to a growing list of major achievements with British rider Oliver Townend, when finishing as runner-up at the 2025 MARS Badminton Horse Trials in the UK. Cooley Rosalent (ISH) held the lead following the Dressage and Country phases, before a single fence down in the final jumping phase saw the pair finish on a score of 26.3 in runner-up spot.

Cooley Rosalent (ISH) has now been first, second and third at five-star level, including a win at the 2024 Kentucky five-star in the USA. “She improves every time, and learns every time,” a delighted Townend commented about his Irish-bred mare. “She’s unbelievable. I thought her performance was as good as any horse’s and she will come on for the run. She’s had a good experience.”

Badminton 2025 third place finishers Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue (Photo (Irish Eventing Times)

A brilliant performance from Irish Olympian Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue, bred by Kate Jarvey at Mellon Stud in Co Limerick, saw them take third place on the podium after they jumped clear in the final jumping phase with just 0.4 time penalties to score 31.2. The pair had put in an outstanding clear Cross Country round on the penultimate day to climb 16 places on the leaderboard.

Britain’s Rosalind Canter and Lordships Graffalo are the 2025 Badminton champions. Their clear final jumping round saw them overtake the overnight leaders to finish in first place on a final score of 25.3. Cavalier Crystal (ISH), bred in Co Waterford by Thomas Horgan, finished in fourth place with Britain’s Harry Meade (33.8), while Ireland’s Ian Cassells and the Bridget McGing-bred Master Point (ISH)[TIH] filled 13th place on a score of 48.7.

BREEDING

Cooley Rosalent (ISH) – 2014 mare by Valent (KWPN) out of Bellaney Jewel (TB) by Roselier (TB). Breeder: J W Rosbotham (Armagh). Rider: Oliver Townend (GBR).


Colorado Blue (SHBGB) 2009 gelding by Jaguar Mail (SF) out of Rock Me Baby (AES), by Rock King (WNTR). Breeder: Mellon Stud / Kate Jarvey, Limerick. Owners: Austin O’Connor & The Salty Syndicate. Rider: Austin O’Connor (IRL).

Cavalier Crystal (ISH) – 2010 mare by Jack of Diamonds (SWB) out of Cavalier Iris (ISH) by Cavalier Royal (HOLST). Breeder: Thomas Horgan, Co Waterford. Rider: Harry Meade (GBR)

Master Point (ISH)(TIH) – 2013 bay gelding by Pointilliste (USA)(TB) out of Chikari (ISH) by Kings Master (ISH). Breeder: Bridget McGing. Rider: Ian Cassells (IRL)