IT’S not often we get to see a Badminton CCI5* winner on Irish soil so it was great to see Greenacres Special Cavalier (Cavalier Royale) show her class and take the victory in the Nutriscience CCI4*-S at Ballindenisk International.

Caroline Powell (NZL) steered the Irish-bred mare to victory for a second time on Cork soil after posting a 26.5 in the dressage arena and keeping a clean jumping sheet, adding only time on the cross-country course. The combination previously won at this venue at the same level in September 2023, a season prior to their historic Badminton win. “The mare has been in great form this year and she ran really well here so it sets her up nicely to go back to Badminton next week,” remarked Powell.