New combo make it look easy
Izzy Taylor continues her run of success, while riders hail the venue as one of Europe’s most beautiful course
IRELAND remained a happy hunting ground for Izzy Taylor as she added victories in the CCI3* and CIC3* at Millstreet to her one-two-three in the CIC3* at Camphire a few weeks ago.
Izzy’s winning mount in the CCI3* was Alex Phillips’ 15-yearold Perfect Stranger, the former Andrew Nicholson horse she has been riding since May.
“Izzy and ‘Orange’ have only had six runs together, but she rides so many different horses so well that 99% of the time you wouldn’t know they hadn’t come through the grades together,” said Alex. “They got a bit close at one of the water fences because they are not completely used to each other’s rhythm, but, apart from that, they made a tough track look easy.”
The pair, who added four showjumping penalties to their dressage mark, were one of just two combinations from the 14 cross-country starters in this section to make the time, the other being second-placed Blyth Tait and Darius.
“He’s such a genuine horse and is always in the ribbons. He’s been second internationally multiple times, so is due a big win,” said Blyth, who also occupied third with the chestnut mare Havanna Van’t Castaneahof.
Third after dressage, Blyth and Havanna Van’t Castaneahof climbed to first after crosscountry by virtue of a quick round for just 0.4 of a penalty, but lost the win when they amassed 10 showjumping faults.
“She was a bit spooky and distracted at the start of the showjumping and had a couple of rails, which was a shame as she jumped well afterwards,” said Blyth, who is riding the 10-year-old for Lizzie Green while she sorts out visa issues in New Zealand.
Izzy’s speedy cross-country skills were also evident in the CIC3* as she and Be Touchable were the only pair from the 46 starters to finish within the optimum time. The duo added nothing to their dressage leading mark to give them a comfortable winning margin of more than 10 penalties and ensure they successfully defended the title they won in 2016.
“He’s a talented horse and felt classy in all three phases,” said Izzy. “He’s bright, so always goes better when you put a bit of pressure on him as he has to concentrate.”
US rider Kimberly Severson and Cooley Cross Border were second, while Andrew Hoy and Rutherglen occupied third.
Jonty Evans confessed to being “furious” following his fall on the flat in the CIC3* with Cooley Rorkes Drift, who was having his first run following a successful crowd-funding campaign to secure his ownership. The combination, who were lying second going into the final phase, slipped on the turn between fences 15 and 16 on the crosscountry and suffered automatic elimination.
“It was possibly the best he’s ever gone cross-country: he felt strong, athletic, so confident and really fit,” said Jonty, who’d taken the 11-year-old to Millstreet as
a prep run for Blenheim. “Both ‘Art’ and I are fine. He seemed a bit annoyed, but not as annoyed as me.”
FLYING THE IRISH FLAG
JODIE O’KEEFFE flew the flag for Ireland in the CCI2*, finishing at the head of affairs aboard her father Joe’s Reenmore Duke. The duo pipped Rosie Fry and Arise Cavalier to first place by almost three penalties.
“This win has been a long time coming,” said Jodie, 21, who is based with Elizabeth Power. “He’s an out-and-out superstar, but we didn’t want to rush him, so we kept him at two-star level for an extra season.”
Jodie juggles eventing with studying for her Spanish and business degree at University College Dublin and will soon be embarking on her year abroad in San Sebastian.
Jesse Campbell and the 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding Amsterdam 21 led the 54-strong CIC2* from the start to triumph on their dressage score of 36.9.
“We haven’t really got going this season, so it’s great to get an international win under our belts,” said Jesse. “He had a long break after Boekelo due to a small injury and then we had a fall in the water at Hartpury, so it’s nice to have him back on good form and feeling super confident.”
Laura Collett held second place throughout the CIC2* with London 52, while two fault-free rounds from Cooley Again saw him climb from 13th after dressage to eventual third for the same rider.
The eight-year-old London 52 only started eventing last year and was at Millstreet to gain experience, while Cooley Again was so full of energy during his last run that Laura felt he needed an extra outing before contesting the eight- and nine-year-old class at Blenheim.
“London 52 was green at Burgham, so I was pleased with the way he came out at Millstreet as there’s a lot to take on, while this level is so easy for Cooley Again, so we had great fun and ticked the box for what he needed to do,” said Laura.
Riders were running out of superlatives to describe the stunning Cork venue, its educational cross-country courses and fantastic hospitality.
“It’s one of the most beautiful courses in Europe,” said Jesse Campbell. “The team puts such effort into the whole event and really go the extra mile.”