Oliver Townend does it again at Burnham Market but it will be the last time on Cillnabradden Evo
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CCI4* short format
On Sunday morning at the Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International, before the final horse inspection for long format competitors, it was announced that the short format class had been split back into two classes, the 8/9 Year-Old-Championship and the 'normal' CCI4*S.
This put Oliver Townend's bid to win his 13th consecutive 4*-S at Burnham Market very much back on track; he started today's cross country in the lead on last year's winner, Cillnabradden Evo – before the class split the pair was in second place behind Izzy Taylor.
Cillnabradden Evo cruised round the course, Oliver undoubtedly conscious that he had time in hand with the class split again. They literally cantered over the finish line, adding two time penalties to their dressage score, good enough to stay at the top of the leaderboard and continue Oliver's phenomenal run at the venue.
Cillnabradden Evo will now be retired. “He owes us nothing and has punched above his weight for years,” said Oliver. “It's great to end his career with another good win.”
Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam
Australia's Kevin McNab took the runner up spot riding Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam with Sarah Bullimore completing the podium places on Reve du Rouet and China's Alex Hua Tian 0.1 of a penalty behind in fourth on Don Geniro.
Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir
8/9 Year-Old Championship
Disappointingly for Izzy Taylor, as she said could happen yesterday, Hartacker did make a green [inexperienced] mistake on today's cross country course to pick up 20 penalties, dropping the pair down the order.
This allowed Yasmin Ingham to move up to the top spot aboard Banzai du Loir. They finished three points ahead of runners up Ros Canter on Lordships Graffalo while Kitty King and Cristal Fontaine, 2018's six-year-old world champion, completed the podium line-up.
“I couldn't be happier with all my horses this week,” said Yasmin, “but riding Banzai du Loir literally gives me goosebumps. Even better, Mum was here and it's the first time I have seen her since Lincolnshire Horse Trials [in March] because she's been in lockdown on the Isle of Man.”
Yasmin's 22.3 finish is in the top three finishes seen at Burnham Market since 2005. Only Oliver Townend's two wins last year sit ahead of her – Cillnabradden Evo, who scored 21.3 and Ballaghmor Class, on 22.2.
Izzy Taylor and Monkeying Around
CCI4* long format
Izzy Taylor's weekend ended on a high. Monkeying Around led from pillar to post to claim Britain's only long format four star this year. A 23.2 finish is Izzy's lowest ever at CCI4*-L and brought about her fifth win at this level since she first won a CCI4*-L in 2014. Only four riders in the world have had more wins at the level since 2010.
“He jumped beautifully today and felt really confident. I know he's a good jumper but any horse can have a fence down. He's a huge character, very cheeky but actually likes being good and my hopes for him paid off this weekend.”
Clear show jumping rounds were key today, and a rail down for any combination proved costly. Italy's Vittoria Panizzon finished less than a fence down behind Izzy on Chequers Play The Game, with Sarah Bullimore and Corouet third, just 0.3 of a penalty behind Vittoria.
A weekend away (or maybe next year at Sussex Farm!) for Monkeying Around's owner Mark Sartori, thanks to title sponsor Barefoot Retreats
