AMANDA Goldsbury’s third Lisgarvan International victory was in the Cooley Farm CCIYH2* class for six and seven-year-olds with the talented Touch of Cooley, another of her string to have two wins under his belt already this season. This six-year-old by Untouchable 27 (KWPN) out of Kimmi was bred by Leo Bazelmans and is also owned by the Sheanes of Wicklow’s Cooley Farm. The New Zealander led from start to finish, completing on their dressage score of 27.3 after a foot-perfect performance across all phases.
“I bought her off Vinny Duffy as a four-year-old,” Cooley Farm owner Richard Sheane said. “She did Dublin last year and we kicked off her eventing career this year. She’s an amazing mare and could probably do either sport, which I wouldn’t say about many of them, but she’s so blood and just loves her job.”
Amanda Goldsbury and Touch of Cooley - CCIYH2 (6&7 year-old) winners at Lisgarvan International Horse Trials \ Louise O'Brien Photography
Close behind in second place was Ian Cassells aboard Peak Freestyler (ISH by Freestyle Van de Wolfsakker and owned by Pat and Claire Duffy), also finishing on their dressage score of 28.1. Cassells had another strong showing with Rutland Flamenco (Casallco), who incurred 1.6 time penalties to finish fourth on 31.0.
Steven Smith and Lachain Lance (Lancelot) delivered a solid clear across the board to take third place, ending on their dressage mark of 30.0.
Fifth and sixth places were decided on identical final scores of 33.0, with Casey Webb and Safe Harbour (ISH) just edging out Sadhbh Bolger on Grantstown Imperial (ISH) for the higher placing, based on their dressage ranking.
CCI1*-Intro
Junior rider Izzy Barrett delivered a composed and consistent performance aboard Oakfield Cooley (ISH) to claim top honours in the CCI1*-Intro class. The pair led from the outset with a dressage score of 28.6, adding just 0.8 time penalties in cross-country and 6.0 in show jumping to finish on a winning total of 35.4. This nine-year-old gelding by Luidam out of Ballinteskin Cult (ISH) was bred by Peter O’Toole and is owned by Kate Barrett. The win was the pair’s fourth event together after Izzy took over the ride from her sister Emily.
Close behind in second place was Patrick Whelan riding his own Olivier (Just Wimphof), who impressed in the dressage phase with a leading 28.2 but incurred four show jumping penalties and 4.8 cross-country time faults, finishing on 37.0.
Sweden’s Sara Lundkvist took third with Merrywell Dignified Lady (Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet). The duo produced a clear cross-country round and added no jumping penalties, but 10.0 time faults in the final phase left them on a total of 41.4.
Hollie Smith and Mr Diceman (ISH) finished fourth on 43.0, just ahead of Gilby Monaghan and A Touch of Frost (ISH) in fifth on 43.9. Sixth place went to Myah McLean and Tykillen Jazz (ISH), who completed on a score of 44.5.