TIPPERARY'S Padraig McCarthy has equaled Ireland best finish of the last decade at Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in the UK, taking eighth place overall following today’s final show jumping phase – the same result achieved by Aoife Clark in 2013 and 2015.

McCarthy and the 13-year-old gelding Mr Chunky had produced once of the fastest cross country rounds on Saturday, adding just 6.4 time penalties to their dressage score of 28.9.

They jumped clear in the final show jumping phase with just three time penalties to leave them in eighth overall on a final score of 38.3.

Joseph Murphy was the next best of the Irish in 13th with Sportsfield Othello (ISH) (49.3), Ciaran Glynn and November Night (ISH)(TIH) finished 25th, and Alan Nolan with Bronze Flight came home in 52nd.

Irish Sport Horses continued to show they are the best in the world at eventing – filling four of the top six places including runner-up Cooley SRS (ISH), bred in Wexford by John Fitzhenry.

New Zealand’s Jonelle Price and Classic Moet took the winner's trophy on a final score of 28.0.

---

Badminton Horse Trials 2018 – Breeding:

2nd Cooley SRS (ISH) – 2007 gelding by Ramiro B (BWP) out of Ballynattin Pride (ISH), by Kiltealy Spring (ISH). Breeder: John Fitzhenry (Wexford). Rider: Oliver Townend (GBR)

4th . Arctic Soul (IRE)(TB) – 2003 gelding by Luso (TB) out of Dream Cocktail (TB), by Roi Danzi (TB). Breeder: Michael Whitty. Rider: Gemma Tattersall (GBR)

5th Ballaghmor Class (ISH) – 2007 gelding Courage II (HOLST) out of Kilderry Place (ISH). Breeder: Noel Hickey (Limerick). Rider: Oliver Townend (GBR)

6th Kiltubrid Rhapsody (ISH) – 2007 gelding by Cascaletto St Ghyvan Z (ZANG) out of Kilubrid Heather (ISH), by Lombardo (KWPN). Breeder: Marian Tighe (Leitrim). Rider: Sir Mark Todd (NZL)