Colorado Blue

The immensely consistent five-star horse, third at Badminton this spring for the second time, has turned into a superstar beyond his rider's dreams. Pippa Roome finds out more

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Need to know

COLORADO BLUE

Age: 16

Breeding: by Jaguar Mail, out of Rock Me Baby (by Rock King)

Breeder: Kate Jarvey, Mellon Stud

Owners: The Salty Syndicate

Rider: Austin O'Connor

Best results: 2021, 13th Tokyo Olympics; 2022, eighth Badminton CCI5*, 18th Pratoni World Championships; 2023, third Badminton CCI5*, first Maryland CCI5*; 2024, second Thoresby CCI4*-S, second Bramham CCI4*-S, 17th Paris Olympics, 14th Burghley CCI5*; 2025, third Badminton CCI5*.

RIDER AUSTIN O'CONNOR

“I BOUGHT Colorado Blue's dam, the Rock King mare Rock Me Baby, from Hendrik Wiegersma as a five-year-old. She sustained an injury, so we started breeding from her and then I sold her to Kate Jarvey, who I was working with, as a broodmare.