AMERICAN rider Alexa Gartenberg enjoyed the perfect preparation for her approaching five-star debut with Cooley Kildaire, when they won the Goresbridge Horse Sales CCI4*-S at Ballindenisk. The combination lay in second place ahead of Sunday’s cross-country challenge, and their quick clear round for just 3.6 time penalties and a total score of 39.4 saw them edge ahead of their opposition into the top spot.

“Ballindenisk was a super event,” said the Pennsylvania native after her win. “The surfaces in the arenas were excellent, as well as the cross-country. It was literally the perfect cross-country ground. I’m so proud of Cooley Kildaire on his win,” Gartenberg continued.