Irish-bred horses were dominant at this years Land Rover Kentucky’s three-day event which took place from 22-25 April in Lexington, Kentucky. Just under 20% of the starters were Irish-bred sport horses but no other combination could better Oliver Townend’s (Great Britain) performance with Irish Sport Horse Ballaghmor Class, who was bred by Noel Hickey in Co Limerick.
Irish-bred horses were dominant at this years Land Rover Kentucky’s three-day event which took place from 22-25 April in Lexington, Kentucky.
Just under 20% of the starters were Irish-bred sport horses but no other combination could better Oliver Townend’s (Great Britain) performance with Irish Sport Horse Ballaghmor Class, who was bred by Noel Hickey in Co Limerick.
With a dressage score of 26.5 and a clear cross country round, finishing two seconds over the optimum time, the pressure was on to produce a faultless show jumping round to take the win.
The combination managed to do just that and finished on a final score of 27.3 ahead of New Zealand husband and wife duo Tim Price (Xavier Faer) on 28.2 and Jonelle Price (Grovine De Reve (ISH)) on 30.7. Grovine De Reve was bred by Paddy and Maria Raggett from Co Kilkenny.
Speaking of the 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse after their win, Oliver said: “We’ve had (Ballaghmor Class) him since he was four years old, so we know him very well. He was very sharp all the way through and still can be but that sharpness – when we’ve managed to bend it – is what makes him so special.
“He knows what day things happen. I don’t know whether it’s down to intelligence. It’s definitely down to pedigree. But it’s hard to put your finger on what makes him so special, but he definitely definitely is.”
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