Oliver Townend has taken the top two spots in the CIC3* one day international at Ballendisk horse trials in Cork (13-16 September).
The 28-year-old won the class with Imperial Master, finishing on his dressage score of 40.2 and came second riding ODT Sonas Rovatio with 43.5. In third place was Ireland’s own Katie O’Sullivan and Kilpatrick Dancer on 44.7.
This is the second time this year that Oliver and Imperial Master have won the class, which means they are the only pair in with a chance of winning the €50,000 Goresbridge Go For Gold.
The bonus prize is up for grabs to the horse and rider that can win the CIC3* at Ballendisk in either September or April, and can then go on to win the CCI3* at the September 2013 meet. So Oliver is half way there.
In the CIC3* this year it was a home win for Sarah Ennis and BLM Diamond Delux, who led from the start against a tough field who were all vying for the top spot.
Despite collecting two time faults in the showjumping riding, Sarah's score of 45.2 in the dressage, followed by a clear fast round on the cross-country, was enough for the Meath-based rider to win the trophy.
Fellow Irish eventer Katie O'Sullivan finished on her dressage score of 52 which put her in second place with her Irish Sport Horse Lowhill Blackout. Taking the third spot was Belgian’s Constantin van Rijckevorsel riding Butterfly boy with a final score of 52.4.
Oliver also came second and third in the CCI**, with Skyhills Cavalier and DHI Bandit King respectively. He finished behind Italy’s Vittoria Pannizon who was riding Merlots Magic
