Brits dominate at Irish leg of eventing Nations Cup
British eventers made it a hat-trick with their third win in a row in the Ballindenisk leg of the FEI Nations Cup (22-25 April).
The team of Oliver Townend (Cooley SRS), Franky Reid-Warrilow (Dolley Whisper), Wills Oakden (Merikano) and Izzy Taylor (Briarlands Birdsong), finished on a score of 162.8 — almost 20 penalties ahead of second-placed home nation Ireland (182.5). Close behind in third place was France on 184.4.
Brits also filled the top three individual placings, with Pippa Funnell and Mirage D’Elle winning the title and Oliver and Franky in second and third respectively.
This was the second leg of the 2016 series and Britain is now in third place behind joint leaders Ireland and France.
Pathfinder Oliver — the highest-placed British team member — had eight showjumping faults to add to his dressage score of 40.7, which cost him the win.
Meanwhile, Nations Cup debutantes Franky and her own Dolley Whisper climbed from 10th after the dressage to take third on a score of 51.3.
Franky’s result follows success at last year’s CIC2* European Championships in Holland, where the partnership won both individual gold and team silver.
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The Irish leg was also the first Nations Cup for Wills Oakden, who finished 15th individually after adding 12 showjumping faults to his dressage of 50.8.
Related articles:
- British Eventing team on top at Ballindenisk
- British team wins Ballindenisk eventing Nations Cup leg
- Brits beat Germany to eventing Nations Cup title
Izzy Taylor was the drop score after incurring 11 cross-country penalties for breaking a frangible pin.
Britain hosts the third leg of the nine-part series at Houghton International Horse Trials next month (26-29 May).
The last time Brits won on home turf was in 2013, with Germany taking the crown last year and New Zealand in 2014.
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.