Badminton - Here We Come - Irish Eventing Times

With only two and a half weeks to go to the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, we are having a look at the 5* level record of our Irish combinations. After taking the team and individual medals at the World Equestrian games at Tryon last year, it would be nice to add a Badminton title to the Irish achievements. All Irish combinations certainly have plenty of experience at this level, however the competition is hot as last year’s champion, Jonelle Price and Classic Moet will return to defend their title. There are also no less than five other competitors who are former Badminton winners, including Mark Todd who has claimed the title four times, William-Fox-Pitt (won twice), Pippa Funnell (three times), the 2017 winner Andrew Nicholson , and Oliver Townend

Ciaran Glynn & November Night (ISH)

Ciaran Glynn and November Night

13 year old mare by Bonnie Prince out of a Flagmount King mare who was purchased at the first Goresbridge “Go For Gold” sale as a 4 year old. To date she has an excellent cross country record. Entered in the CCI4*-S at Ballindenisk International this week.

14^thBurghley 2018
25^thBadminton 2018
36^thBadminton 2017
23^rdPau 2016

Owners: Susanna Francke & Peter Cole, Co. Kildare

Breeder: Pat Doherty

Clare Abbott & Euro Prince (ISH)

Clare Abbott and Euro Prince

16.1hh 16 year old chestnut gelding by Lougheries Quiet Man

EL Badminton 2018
13^thBurghley 2017
14^thBadminton 2017
37^thRio Olympic Games
9^thPau 2015
30^thBadminton 2015
24^thBadminton 2014

Part-time maths teacher, Clare and Euro Prince unfortunately had a fall at the Bullfinch just fifth from last fence last year. Claire and Euro Prince are also entered in the CCI4*-S at Ballindenisk International this week

Owner/breeder: Cormac McKay

Padraig McCarthy & Mr Chunky

Padraig and Mr Chunky

16.3hh 14 year old bay gelding by Jumbo. This combination won both Individual and team silver at WEG Tryon 2018.

8^thBadminton 2018
28^thBurghley 2015 ridden by Lucy McCarthy (nee Wiegersma)

Former showjumping rider Padraig McCarthy rode his first event in 2013, and by 2016 was a member of the Irish eventing squad at Rio, then by 2018 he was a double silver medallist at the World Equestrian Games. Last year’s Badminton was actually Padraig’s first four star (now five star). Winner of the CIC3* at Camphire last year. Although this combination do not have a long history at this level, they must be one of the favourites.

Tipperary’s Padraig and his wife Lucy (Wiegersma) run MGH Sport Horses in Devon.

Owner: Huw Lloyd, Christopher Perkins, Lucy Wiegersma

Breeder: Sue Trump

Joseph Murphy & Sportsfield Othello (ISH)

Joseph Murphy and Sportsfield Othello

15.3 bay 18 year old gelding by Ricardo Z

31^stPau 2018
22^ndBurghley 2018
13^thBadminton 2018
13^thBadminton 2017
24^thPau 2016
12^thLuhmuhlen 2016
40^thBadminton 2016
25^thBadminton 2015
5^thPau 2014
30^thBadminton 2014
18^thLuhmuhlen 2013
27^thPau 2011

Owner: Jill Murphy, Alison Schmutz, Andrew Tinkler

Breeder: John Kenny, Co. Tipperary

Olympian Joseph Murphy and Sportsfield Othello certainly have proved themselves cross country many times at this level.

Jim Newsam & Magennis (ISH)

Jim Newsam and Magennis

17.2 hh 17 year old bay gelding By Limmerick ot of a Zero Watt mare

45^thBadminton 2017
55^thBadminton 2013

Magennis was the winner of the CCI3* at Ballindenisk last September, having also won the same honour at Ballindenisk as an eight year old,. Entered in the CCI4*-S at Ballindenisk International this week

Owner: Carole Hawthorne and Jim Newsam

Breeder: Patrick Tiernan

Michael Ryan & Dunlough Striker (ISH)

Michael is still on the wait list with one place to fill ahead of him. Michael says that Dunlough Striker is in superb form and really hopes that he will be accepted.