Let’s take a moment to enjoy the highlights of Sally-Anne Egginton’s 14-year-old gelding’s career…
Cillnabradden Evo started eventing under Lucy Wiegersma and also had a few runs with Lucy’s now-husband, Padraig McCarthy, before moving to Andrew Nicholson ahead of the 2014 season.
Cillnabradden Evo won three times in his first year with Andrew – an intermediate at Aldon and open intermediates at Salperton Park (pictured) and Cholmondeley Castle.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Andrew Nicholson piloting Cillnabradden Evo to second in the eight- and nine-year-old CIC3* (now CCI4*-S) at Blenheim 2014.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Andrew Nicholson rides Cillnabradden Evo to victory in the Amlin Plus Eventers’ Challenge at the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead in 2015.
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)
In August 2015, Andrew Nicholson suffered a serious injury in a fall with Cillnabradden Evo in the CIC3* (now CCI4*-S) at Gatcombe. The ride passed to Oliver Townend and the pair won the CCI2* (now CCI3*-L) at Osberton in the autumn that year.
In July 2016, Cillnabradden Evo scored his second international win when he took the CIC2* (now CCI3*-S) at Burgham.
Oliver and Cillnabradden Evo win the British open championship at Gatcombe in August 2016. This was also an Event Rider Masters leg.
(Image credit: WWW.FOCUSONHORSES.COM)
The summer of 2016 was a purple patch for Oliver and Cillnabradden Evo. After the British open championship, they won the Event Rider Masters (ERM) at Gatcombe and then finished second in the ERM at Blenheim, a result which secured Oliver’s win in the ERM series that year.
Oliver and Cillnabradden Evo take second in the Event Rider Masters at Blenheim 2016.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Cillnabradden Evo helps Oliver Townend to secure the Event Rider Masters series title in 2016 with second place at Blenheim.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
In 2018, Cillnabradden Evo took his tally of international wins to five when he took the CIC3* (now CCI4*-S) at Barborowko in Poland.
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In the spring of 2019, Cillnabradden Evo won a CCI4*-S at Burnham Market.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Cillnabradden Evo contested his first – and only – Badminton in May 2019.
Oliver brings Cillnabradden Evo forward for the first horse inspection at Badminton 2016.
(Image credit: PA)
Oliver and Cillnabradden Evo set a record in the dressage at Badminton, scoring 19.7.
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)
A back view of Cillnabradden Evo at Badminton 2016, which he finished in sixth place. He incurred 12.4 time-faults across country and had one showjump down after his record-breaking dressage.
Cillnabradden Evo won a CCI3*-S section at Burgham in July this year and then completed his career with a final win – his eighth international victory – at Burnham Market in the CCI4*-S.
Cillnabradden Evo completes his career with a win in the CCI4*-S at Burnham Market in September 2020.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Happy retirement, Cillnabradden Evo!
Pictures by Peter Nixon, Alamy Stock Photo, PA, focusonhorses.com and sarahfarnsworth.co.uk
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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.
![Hickstead, UK. 30th July, 2015. Andrew Nicholson [NZL] riding Cillnabradden Evo win The Amlin Plus Eventers' Challenge. The Longines Royal International Horse Show. Credit: Stephen Bartholomew/Alamy Live News](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uV4thGVyZsLbfVvETxRedZ-1400-80.jpg.webp)
