IT was a good weekend for Irish breeders and their horses at Burnham Market International Horse Trials in the UK, with four-star glory going to Cooley Rosalent (ISH), bred by Woods Rosbotham in Co Armagh, followed in third place by Ballaghmor Class (ISH), bred by Noel Hickey in Co Limerick, both ridden by Britain’s Oliver Townend.

The rider has now won the CCI4*-S title 16 times; on this occasion, he and Cooley Rosalent finished on their dressage score of 25.6. Second place went to Laura Collett (GBR) on Hester.

“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.”

Top three

Irish-bred horses also dominated the CCI3*-S competition, taking the top three places. British rider Katie Magee took the win on board Cushlas Indigo (ISH), bred by JP Finlay. The pair’s dressage score of 27.9 saw them in fourth after the first phase, but two flawless jumping phases moved them to the top of the scoreboard.

Second place went to Shades of Sligo II (ISH), bred by Martin Kenirons, ridden by Max Gordon (GBR) (30.6), while third was Shannondale Aldo (ISH), bred by Shannondale Stud, ridden by Alex Bragg (GBR) (31.3).