CCI4* short format

On Sunday morning, 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.”

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