Irish-bred horses dominate Burnham Market International as Cooley Rosalent (ISH) seals four-star victory
Irish breeders enjoyed a hugely successful weekend at Burnham Market International Horse Trials in the UK, with Cooley Rosalent (ISH), bred in Co Armagh by Woods Rosbotham, taking a superb victory in the feature four-star competition, while third place went to Ballaghmor Class (ISH), who was bred in Co Limerick by Noel Hickey.
Both of the Irish horses that finished on the podium were ridden by Britain’s Oliver Townend, with his win aboard Cooley Rosalent (ISH) in the CCI4*-S taking his tally in the flagship class at Burnham to an unprecedented 16 titles. Townend and Cooley Rosalent (ISH) were foot perfect all weekend, completing on their dressage score of 25.6. They finished ahead of Laura Collet (GBR) and Hester in second, and Townend’s Olympic Gold medal winning partner, Ballaghmor Class ((ISH) in third.
“I’m thrilled to have been back to Burnham Market,” said Townend. “I’ve been coming here for a lot of years and it’s a great place to prepare your horses for spring five-stars. I’m as thrilled as I could be with both Ballaghmor Class and Cooley Rosalent. It’s my 16th win here and hopefully it will be a stepping stone to Badminton.”
The CCI3*-S competition saw an even more dominant performance from Irish-bred horses, after they filled all of the top three places. The JP Finlay-bred Cushlas Indigo (ISH) was guided to victory by Katie Magee (GBR). The pair were lying fourth after dressage and moved up to the top spot thanks to a faultless performance in the Cross Country and Jumping phases. They finished on their dressage score of 27.9, with the Martin Kenirons-bred Shades of Sligo II (ISH) in second (30.6) with Max Gordon (GBR) in the saddle while the Shannondale Stud-bred Shannondale Aldo (ISH) finished in third (31.3) with Alex Bragg (GBR).
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
Ballaghmor Class (ISH) – 2007 gelding Courage II (HOLST) out of Kilderry Place (ISH). Breeder: Noel Hickey (Limerick). Rider: Oliver Townend (GBR)
Cushlas Indigo (ISH) – 2017 gelding by Imperial Heights (ISH)[TIH] out of Olovo’s Love me Do (AES) by Animo Eliter (AES). Breeder: J P Finlay. Rider: Katie Magee (GBR)
Shades of Sligo II (ISH) – 2017 gelding by Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) out of Bouncing Molly (ISH) by Grange Bouncer (ID). Breeder: Martin Kenirons, Rider: Max Gordon (GBR)
Shannondale Aldo (ISH) – 2016 gelding by Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan (BEWB) out of Annie Shannondale Z (ZANG) by Andiamo Z (NRPS). Breeder: Shannondale Stud (Clare). Rider: Alexander Bragg (GBR)