Austin OConnor and his star steed Colorado Blue are primed for a history-making success at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials after a sensational cross country this afternoon.The Corkman and Salty lie in second position ahead of tomorrows final show jumping phase, just 6.2 penalties behind leader Ros Canter and Lordships Gruffalo.The Cork Olympian will need some luck on his side but the way he has performed with Colorado Blue this weekend means he is in with a major shout of emulating the only previous Irish rider to win here Captain Harry Freeman-Jackson, 62 years ago in 1963. OConnor is no stranger to historic results, his five-star Maryland win being the first from an Irish eventer in 58 years, while he can also boast a pair of Badminton podium finishes to his name. The pair added just 0.8 time faults to their personal best dressage score and sit on a total of 28.6. Canter leads on 22.4 penalties, with New Zealands Tim Price in third aboard Vitali, a further 3.3 behind on 31.9.OConnor said: That was great hes great. It was tough out there. It was without a doubt one of the toughest hes faced and had to be at his very best. He jumped super, really wanted to jump between the flags and he galloped home right to the line. Hes the horse of a lifetime, hes taken me to two Olympics and three or four five-star podiums. Theres not too many like him that come along he owes me nothing. Im blessed.The post OConnor and Salty poised for another shot at history in Burghley appeared first on .

Pregnant Ros Canter silenced any critics by pulling off a stunning cross-country clear aboard Lordships Graffalo at Defender Burghley today in the fastest time of the day to hold the overnight lead.The defending champions finished eight seconds inside the time to give themselves a 6.2-penalty cushion going into tomorrows showjumping finale, which means they have one fence in hand.When I walk the course I move the minute markers up 10 seconds to give me a buffer, and I felt just a little bit down all the way, which is quite good for me because it makes me try that little bit harder, but I didnt realise I was that far [inside the time], said Ros. I thought I was kind of pushing it coming to the second last. To be honest, he probably did feel a little bit wearier. I dont think wearier in his gallop, but doing Defender Valley and then going to the Leaf Pit to then turn around again, its a little bit demoralising.When I came through Defender Valley for the second time the crowd were insane. Hes got such a fan club. It was so loud, it was amazing.2, Austin OConnor and Colorado BlueIrelands Austin OConnor and Colorado Blue picked up 0.8 time-faults to move into second.Its probably the toughest track weve jumped at that speed, said Austin. Theres a lot of jumping from the word go, a lot of galloping. It was beautiful ground, but there was a bit of juice in it. Im sure he got me out of trouble a couple of times, as he does. Hes got to be at the top of his game at the moment. 3, Tim Price and VitaliTim Price and Vitali picked up 8.8 time faults to slot into third. Tim said their round was not without hairy moments, but explained that this is to be expected when youre trying to ride economically while at maximum effort.Hes not an out and out Thoroughbred horse, so his top speed is maybe 580 metres per minute, and theres some other ones that do 620, but hed do that 580 all day long, added Tim.Hes a trier, but its just not in his physical make-up to be stretched out galloping faster.4, Harry Meade and Annaghmore ValonerHarry Meade pulled off a masterclass of cross-country riding by piloting all three of his rides home clear, to take fourth, fifth and sixth places.He was the last rider to leave the startbox, aboard Annaghmore Valoner, a 13-year-old bay mare who is best placed of his trio at this stage.I try and stay in the zone. Now I can come up for air, said Harry after his final round. Its the incentive of these big ones that I really enjoy. I sort of had a bad run up to it, every part of my bodys taped and strapped. I had a trip to the physio between my second and third horse, but it all came good.Annaghmore Valoner pecked on landing at the penultimate cross-country fence, the same one stablemate Et Hop du Matz had done so at the start of the day.She jumped beautifully out of a stride, a little peck, but it probably looked more than it was, said Harry.5, Harry Meade and Cavalier CrystalCavalier Crystal, a 15-year-old by Coroner, is just 0.3 of a penalty adrift of her stablemate in fifth.Ive ridden her since she was five years old, so we know each other really well, said Harry. Shes a horse I never thought would gallop. Right up to two years ago, when I brought her to Burghley for her first five-star, I was still unsure as to whether to run her. She used to scamp along with a very quick turnover of footfall, but no length of stride. Its really been about teaching her to relax, almost switch off, breathe, lengthen her stride. Shes a pretty gorgeous cross-country horse; she was amazing at the last two Burghleys, and even better this time.6, Harry Meade and Et Hop du MatzHarry kicked off the days proceedings aboard Et Hop du Matz, and his first ride also became his quickest ride, despite two particularly hairy moments one at the Trout Hatchery and a second at the penultimate fence.I was having a peach of a ride, then I was five strides away from the fence into the main bit of water in the Trout Hatchery, someone ran into the middle, and then turned around and ran out, said Harry. It took both my eye and the horses eye, and I ended up slightly overriding. He had a very big jump in but he stayed on his feet.At the Quilter Cheviot Lamberts Sofa (fence 30), Harry was thrown forward on to the horses neck. He said it was rider error.I was on a very long stride and didnt quite get it right. Hes a lovely, long striding horse. He always goes a little bit off the bridle. He was quite far off it, and then I thought, hang on, sit up, because I think hes going to add one [stride], and he did, but we got away with it.7, Alice Casburn and TopspinAlice Casburn and Topspin are aiming to continue their great Burghley record with a fourth-consecutive top-10 finish, and have given themselves a great shot of achieving just that with a clear round today with 4.4 time-faults to add.I definitely felt the pressure coming out this morning. If anything goes wrong, its certainly not on his part, said Alice. He was cracking. We had a nice natter the whole way around and I actually managed to enjoy myself this time. I promised that I would take a minute to soak it in and I did.8, Gaspard Maksud and ZaragozaFrances Gaspard Maksud finished best of the first timers here last year when finishing sixth aboard Zaragoza. They jumped clear with 5.6 time-faults to add today.Last year just give us the experience and the belief that we could do it and be competitive, but it was the blind leading the blind, said Gaspard. Now weve come back [and] we needed to prove we can do that again. She tries so hard for me. She was getting tired, but they all will. Its a lot of hills up and down. I took more time to set her up, just to make sure we didnt make a stupid mistake, and she was very good to the end.9, Laura Collett and BlingLaura Collett has moved inside the top 10 with Bling, the pair surviving a sticky moment when the mare spotted a ditch, the B element behind a brush in Defender Valley, and threw her rider forward in the saddle.Things take her by surprise. She just needs a split second, but thats where she was so honest and quick-thinking. As soon as she jumped the ditch, she looked up, saw the corner, and saw her way out, said Laura.What a mare. Shes so tough and gritty. I thought she had it in her, but you just never know. I walked this course and thought, are we here a year too early for her experience? She just took it all on, and shes so honest.10, Holly Richardson and Ballyneety Silver ServiceTen-year-old grey Ballyneety Silver Service, the mount of Holly Richardson, is contesting his first five-star.As soon as I set off, I thought this is a Burghley horse, lets go, said Holly. You dont know what youve got until you get out there. I got through that Lion Bridge area and the water again, and I was like, yeah, hes on it.Top 10 after cross-countryGreat Britains Ros Canter on Lordships Graffalo, 22.4Irelands Austin OConnor on Colorado Blue, 28.6New Zealands Tim Price on Vitali, 31.9Great Britains Harry Meade on Annaghmore Valoner, 33Great Britains Harry Meade on Cavalier Crystal, 33.3Great Britains Harry Meade on Et Hop du Matz, 35.1Great Britains Alice Casburn on Topspin, 35.8Frances Gaspard Maksud on Zaragoza, 37.4Great Britains Laura Collett on Bling, 40.2Great Britains Holly Richardson on Ballyneety Silver Service, 41.6More from BurghleyPressure is a privilege: rider with imposter syndrome bids for third Burghley completionTop riders battle with nerves, too! How one Burghley rider overcame a confidence lossProperty director and cheap ex-racehorse make their CCI5* debutHow to watch Defender Burghley Horse TrialsThe post What a day! Ros sets herself up for second title: Burghley top 10 in pictures appeared first on Your Horse.

Irelands senior jumping team finished fourth in the BMO Nations Cup in Spruce Meadows late on Saturday night.Michael Blakes team of Daniel and Jordan Coyle, Bertram Allen and Tom Wachman finished on a score of eight faults with a magnificent double clear from Wachman and Tabasco De Toxandria Z the highlight for Ireland. Britain won the Nations Cup after a dramatic finish which saw Germanys Richie Vogel and Cloudio drop the very last pole to finish on four faults and allow Donald Whitaker jump to victory for Di Lampards team. USA filled the podium, also on four faults but with a slower time. Blake was satisfied with his teams performance but was left a little frustrated with some costly errors that ultimately cost the Irish. That feels like one that has gotten away from us, not for the first time this year. Just some costly mistakes at crucial times that could be cut out and wed be close to a zero score. I said after Dublin that you need to be perfect at five-star level and that was how it played out again today. Britain finished on a zero score and the very last came down from the Germans, which has cost them. There was some highlights what more can I say about Tom. A 20-year-old kid anchoring this team and producing a double clear, its incredible. He just has the brightest future. And it was great to see Bertrams horse jumping clear again, as well as Legacy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Daniel Coyle (@danielcoyleofficial)I feel for Jordan, he was very disappointed with the water today but his horse jumped super aside from that so theres encouragement to be taken from it.The Irish were the final team to jump in round one of the 11 nations, with Paris Olympian Daniel Coyle and his star mare Legacy first into the arena. The stalwart duo made a solid start for Blakes men and came home with four faults.Allen and his flashy nine-year-old Quonquest De Rigo, who had been stars of Nations Cup success earlier in the season, showed exactly why Blake has such high hopes for their future with a flawless round.Jordan Coyle, possibly the most in-form rider in the world at present, added another solid four fault round, meaning Irelands best total for round one could be four.That was if 20-year-old anchor Tom Wachman and Tabasco De Toxandria Z could be perfect, and perfect they were, ensuring that a second round assault on the leaders remained intact.At the break, there was just a pole in it at the head of affairs, with Britain and Germany both going into round two on a zero score after what have proved a difficult class to that point. Allen and Quonquest De Rigo couldnt repeat their clear effort from earlier as a pole came down at the second part of the Rolex double before Sophie Hinners steadied the German ship with a double clear on Iron Dames Singclair. Ben Maher and Enjeu De Grisien did the same as Ireland faced an uphill battle to win with just Jordan Coyle and Wachman to come.A foot in the water for the second time from Chaccolino and Coyle meant another four faults to leave Ireland on eight and victory out of sight.A disappointed Coyle said after his round: Its not often a horse jumps double clear in a Nations Cup but have a foot in the water in both rounds. Ive let him down there.With German and British combinations adding clears, a podium finish was out virtually out of sight for Ireland but Wachman, following on from his double clear in the home Nations Cup at the Dublin Horse Show, repeated the feat with Tabasco De Toxandria Z.Wachman said: Hes a brilliant horse, Im so happy with Tabasco. Weve a great team at home in Karlswood with Cian (OConnor), Ross (Mullholland) and Kim (Hendricks), his groom, and Im really looking forward to the Grand Prix now tomorrow.The post Fourth for Ireland in Spruce Meadows five-star BMO Nations Cup appeared first on .

Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) have unveiled a new data sharing initiative designed to improve traceability and welfare for ex-racehorses after they retire from the track.The new agreement, which came into effect on 22 July 2025, allows RoR to make direct contact with owners as soon as a non-racing agreement is registered on the BHAs database.Under British Horseracing Authority rules, new keepers of retired thoroughbreds must sign a non-racing agreement, formally confirming that the horse will not return to competitive racing.When a non-racing agreement is signed, owners will be invited to fill out a five-minute survey confirming their horses status, outlining future plans, and, if they wish, registering with the RoR.In the first five weeks since launch, 18.45% of contacted owners completed the survey.The charity said it was encouraged by the level of engagement so far.This agreement represents a practical and proactive step towards strengthening post-racing outcomes for thoroughbreds, said James Given, director of equine regulation, safety and welfare at the BHA.By enabling RoR to engage directly with owners at the point of retirement, were helping to bridge a long-standing data gap and support more informed, evidence-based welfare decisions. Crucial transition pointThe Horse Welfare Board, which is part of the BHA, commissioned the project as part of its ongoing traceability programme after securing funding for the project from The Racing FoundationData will be analysed to help shape future welfare strategies, whilst also fulfilling commitments laid out in the RoR Strategy 20242026.David Catlow, RoR managing director, emphasised that the moment a horse retires is a crucial transition point.[The agreement] enables us to build a fuller picture of life after racing, promote responsible ownership, and offer early access to the support RoR provides, he said.Together with the BHA, this marks an important step forward in strengthening the traceability framework for retired racehorses. 100% traceabilityFor the Horse Welfare Board, the agreement is a key step toward achieving its long-term vision.The ambition remains to achieve 100% traceability at the point horses step out of racing a goal that the HWB and its partners continue to champion, said programme director Helena Flynn. While this data-sharing agreement does not provide all the answers, it is a critical building block in a long-term solution that will evolve over time.Coupled with the wider work being done across traceability, it brings the industry closer to understanding the varied journeys of racehorses once they retire from racing and ensuring they receive appropriate support throughout.Main image by Majestic Photography Related contentEx-racehorses shouldnt carry more than 17% of their bodyweight, says RoRProperty director and cheap ex-racehorse make their CCI5* debutEx-racehorse is trampled and suffers fractured skull in overloaded lorry while on way to slaughterFirst six months of life is a critical period of development in Thoroughbreds, study revealsThe post New collaboration is step towards 100% traceability of ex-racehorses appeared first on Your Horse.