Irish Horses dominate the leader board at the Badminton Horse Trials

The 2006 Badminton Horse Trials got underway last week from Thursday 4th to Sunday 7th May. The competition proved to be a great success for the Irish with six Irish bred horses finishing in the top ten.

The Irish bred Moon Fleet, ridden by Andrew Hoy (AUS), took the lead on Friday after completing an exceptional dressage test on a score of 36.5. This duo held the lead throughout the competition with clear rounds in both the cross country and jumping phases.

Apart from Moon Fleet a number of other Irish bred horses dominated the leader board. The Irish bred gelding Over to You, ridden by Jeanette Brakewll (GB) finished in 4th place on a dressage score of 52.0, incurring no penalties on the cross country course or in the showjumping ring. Comanche (ISH) by I’m a Star (TB), ridden by James Robinson (GB), took 5th place, while the Irish bred Tankers Town (ISH) and Spring Along finished in 6th and 8th place respectively. The 2005 winners of Burghley CCI****, Ballincoola (ISH) and William Fox-Pitt (GB), finished in 9th place on a score of 54.7.

Eventing Results:

Badminton Horse Trials:

CCI****:
1st Moon Fleet – 1991 brown gelding. Rider: Andrew Hoy (AUS)
4th Over to You – chestnut gelding. Rider: Jeanette Brakewll (GB)
5th Comanche (ISH) – 1993 bay gelding by I’m A Star (TB) out of French Girl (ISH), by Le Patron (TB). Bred by Joseph Cavanagh, Bunrevan House, Birr, Co. Offaly. Rider: James Robinson (Gbr)
6th Tankers Town (ISH) – 1994 chestnut gelding by Diamond Clover (RID) out of Money Gone West (TB), by Bulldozer (TB). Bred by Mary Blundell, The Red House, Ballacolla, Co. Laois. Rider: Sharon Hunt (Gbr)
8th Spring Along – 1993 bay gelding. Rider: Daisy Dick (GB)
9th Ballincoola (ISH) – 1994 chestnut gelding by Highland King (ISH) out of Dawn Girl (ISH), by Kildalton Gold (RID). Bred by Pat Keogh, Myshall, Co. Carlow. Rider: William Fox-Pitt (Gbr)

Showjumping Results:

La Baule (Fra) CSIO*****

Derby de la Region des Pays de Loire 1m50 Table A:
1st That’s Life (ISH) – 1994 chestnut gelding by Clover Fields (ISH) out of Classy Madame (TB), by Ozymandias (TB). Bred by Con Ryan, The Abbey, Templemore, Co. Tipperary. Rider: Michel Hecart (Fra)

Prix Echo de la Presqu’lle 1m45 Table A:
2nd Lismakin (ISH) – 1990 gelding by Master Imp (TB) out of Erkina Queen (ISH), by King of Diamonds (RID). Bred by Anne Downey, Ballybooden, Ballacolla, Co. Laois. Rider: Shane Carey (Irl)

Prix Ouest France 1m45 Table C:
4th Mullaghdrin Gold Rain (ISH) – 1998 grey gelding by Golden Cliff (TB) out of Irco Rain (ISH), by Irco Mena (SWB). Bred by Noel Cawley, Newtown, Eadestown, Naas, Co. Kildare. Rider: Shane Breen (Irl)
6th That’s Life – see above for breeding. Rider: Michel Hecart (Fra)

Prix Equidia 1m45 2 Phases:
1st Lismakin – see above for breeding. Rider: Shane Carey (Irl)

Prix Cap Atlantique 1m50 Table A:
7th African Drum (ISH) – 1997 grey gelding by Cavalier Royale (HOLST) out of Cruising Line (ISH), by Cruising (ISH). Bred by Kathleen Gallagher, 95 Ballykelly Road, Ballykelly, Limavady, Co. Derry. Rider: Shane Carey (Irl)