IRISH eventing rider Elizabeth Power and the 11-year-old gelding Soladoun scored a hugely impressive ninth place finish at the four-star Burghley International Horse Trials in the UK.

Lying in 37th place after dressage, they climbed a massive 30 places after Saturday's cross country where they were one of just four combinations to finish clear inside the time. They lowered just a single fence in the final show jumping phase to finish on a final score of 39.1.

Ciaran Glynn with November Night (ISH) (TIH) also had an impressive 14th place finish on a score of 44.8. Joseph Murphy finished 22nd with Sportsfield Othello (ISH) (56.1), just ahead of Michael Ryan in 23rd with Dunlough Striker (ISH) on 60.5. Austin O’Connor and Lucky Contender (ISH) finished 29th on a score of 75.6 to leave Ireland with an impressive five riders inside the top 30.

Victory went to New Zealand's Tim Price with the Irish Sport Horse Ringwood Sky Boy with a score of 27.3. All of the top three finishers were Irish Sport Horses, including 2017 Burghley winner Ballaghmor Class who finished second with Oliver Townend (GBR), while Swallow Springs came home in third with Andrew Nicholson (NZL).

Horse Sport Ireland Director of Breeding and Programmes Alison Corbally said: "Burghley as always was a really testing four-star course that brought stamina and soundness to the fore.

"We are thrilled to have not only the top three finishers as Irish Sport Horses, but also eight of the top 10 which really is a phenomenal result. All of the credit has to go to the Irish breeders around the country and I want to congratulate each and every one of them."

ISH BREEDING

Ringwood Sky Boy (ISH) – 2003 gelding by Courage II (HOLST) out of Sky Lassie (ISH)(TIH) by Sky Boy (TB). Breeder: Myles Mahon (Wexford). Rider: Tim Price (NZL)

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

Swallow Springs. (ISH) – 2008 gelding by Chillout (ISH) out of Kilila (ISH) by Cult Hero (TB). Breeder: Maria Keating (Galway). Rider: Andrew Nicholson (NZL)

November Night (ISH)(TIH) – 2006 bay mare by Bonnie Prince (TB) out of Coolnalee Kate (ISH), by Flagmount King (ID). Bred by Pat Doherty, Co. Waterford. Owner: Susanna Francke & Peter Cole. Rider: Ciaran Glynn (IRL)

Sportsfield Othello (ISH) – 2001 bay gelding by Ricardo Z (ZANG) out of Moy View Lady (ISH), by Ring Of Ford (TB). Bred by John Kenny, Co. Tipperary. Owner: Jill Murphy, Alison Schmutz & Andrew Tinkler. Rider: Joseph Murphy (ISH)

Dunlough Striker (ISH) – 2005 brown gelding by Maltstriker (KWPN) out of Beau Rua (ISH), by Beau Royale (TB). Bred by Kevin Nolan, Co. Clare. Owner: Carol & Tom Henry. Rider: Michael Ryan (IRL)

Lucky Contender (ISH) – 2008 bay gelding by Chacoa (HOLST) out of Power Rules (TB), by King Luthier (TB). Bred by John Ryan, Co. Tipperary. Owner: Wendie Foster. Rider: Austin O’Connor (IRL)

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