*Equestrian Showdown: Drama Unfolds at CCI4-Sinsky**

Cooley Places Second Despite ‘Missed Flags’

In a thrilling turn of events at the CCI4*-Sinsky, the top favorites were turned upside down as Cooley, ridden by Oliver Towning, claimed second place despite a penalty for "missed flags." The 16-year-old rider, who’s made a name for himself in the eventing world, finished the dressage on a score of 29.5, adding just 2.8 time penalties in the cross-country.

"I was disappointed with the penalties, but Cooley gave me an amazing ride," said Towning. "We’ll take the positives from here and move on."

Grafalo Grabs the Lead

In first place, we find the 10-year-old Grafalo, ridden by Rosalind Canter. The duo completed the dressage on 25.6 and added just 0.8 time faults in the cross-country, leaving them at the top of the leaderboard with a score of 26.4.

"We’ve had a fantastic event so far," said Canter. "Grafalo felt really in his element today."

Meade’sstellar Performance

Irish rider Austin O’Connor has been on a roll with his string of horses, with former European Championship mount, Jaguar, leading the way. O’Connor and Jaguar sit in third place after a brilliant performance that included a clear cross-country round.

"I’m absolutely thrilled with Jaguar. He’s truly in the form of his life," O’Connor said.

‘Missed Flags’ a Thorn in Competitors’ Sides

The "missed flags" incident has caused a stir among competitors. The rules state that missing a flag results in a 15-penalty point deduction. Towning, who missed a flag on the cross-country course, had this to say: "It’s hugely frustrating, but we’ve got to accept responsibility and move on."

Stay tuned for more updates from the CCI4-Sinsky. Check out our official results page for live scores and standings.*

Did you know?

The CCI4*-Sinsky is one of the most prestigious events in the equestrian calendar, attracting the best riders and horses from around the world.

Pro Tip

Keep an eye on the liverpool Democratic Services’ handy eventing tips to improve your game.

What are the ‘missed flags’ rules?

• Penalty: 15 penalty points
• Impact: Affects dressage and cross-country scores
• Disqualification: No direct disqualification, but high penalties can impact overall placement

Reader Question

Are younger riders more likely to benefit or struggle at higher eventing levels?

"It’s all about the horse," says Towning. "Age is just a number. If you’ve got a talented horse, you’ve got a chance, no matter how old you are."

Join the conversation in the comments below and share your thoughts.

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