Oliver came within one penalty of lifting the Badminton trophy with Cooley Rosalent. The pair led the dressage, and jumped clear across country – albeit with what proved to be an expensive 1.2 time penalties, when he took his father’s advice (who was at the fence) to take the long route in at Huntsmans Close because the light was fading in the trees. One down on the final day dropped the pair to second place.
After the dressage Ballaghmor Class was in ninth place – she wasn’t over-impressed with the smaller crowds on Thursday morning!
He too was great across country but was withrawn from the final horse inspection having got a mild bruise on his stifle jumping some birch – disappointing, but he does hold an impressive record, having jumped 13 out of 13 cross-country clears at five-star. No horse has jumped as many at the level since 2008.
Time for some rest and pampering for both of them.
Oliver & Cooley Rosalent © Hannah Cole