IT was a golden day for Sam Watson and Ballybolger Goldman as they took the win in the CCI2*-L class on a score of 27.1 for owners Lesley Crampton and Hannah Watson.

Bought as a foal from the field, the seven-year-old is by Tullabeg Fusion out of a thoroughbred mare, the “perfect breeding for an eventer” according to Watson. “Goldman is a very special horse - he is by the same sire as my Tokyo Olympic horse Tullabeg Flamenco and just has everything you would want in an event horse.

“I saw him in the field and had to have him. The day he walked on the yard, Lesley happened to be here and he caught her eye too and she bought a half share on the spot.” Ballybolger Goldman has been campaigned lightly to date but has put in some nice performances with a win in the DAFM six-year-old eventing series last season, as well as jumping a double clear at this level in Thoresby Park earlier this season.

“He’s probably the nicest horse I’ve had through my hands, he moves and has an amazing gallop - there’s huge potential there,” Watson added.

Ground Jury Marie Hennessy (IRL) and Diana Massey (AUS) had Izzy Taylor and Barrington Boy (Sligo Candy Boy) at the top of the leaderboard with a score of 25.6 penalties, with Watson in second and Toshiyuki Tanaka and Talma D’Allou in third on 29.9. Tanaka and Talma D’Allou kept a clean sheet throughout to earn their spot on the podium and finish in third place overall.

Taylor and Barrington Boy held the lead until the final day when they dropped one pole to finish in second and give the home nation the victory. With three wins from four starts this season so far, Izzy was “a little bit frustrated to have had the fence down and miss out on the win” but is excited for the future with this horse.

“He’s very big but is extremely light on his feet and he has a great brain,” commented Taylor.

The seven-year-old Irish-bred horse by Sligo Candy Boy is rarely out of the top six and won the six-year-old championship last year at Cornbury House International.

Patrick Lam had another successful trip to Watergrasshill with his two horses finishing in fourth and fifth with Jockey Club Highdown March and Jockey Club Global Theodoros respectively. Jack O’Haire and Christopher Robin 2 rounded out the top six finishing on their dressage score of 31.3 penalties.