Allison Springer & Arthur sit third on a 41.2. Photo by Kate Samuels.
The third group of riders has just concluded here at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, with our first American rider putting in a very good performance. Allison Springer and Arthur, noted for their skill in the dressage arena, had a consistent and fluid test to score a 41.2, which puts them in third place as of right now.
Allison remarked after her test that while she was pleased with his effort, she thought she could have pressed for a little bit more brilliance and thought that could have garnered more points. Allison and Arthur were 6th here together in 2012, and this is their first return, where they are hoping to improve upon that performance. They are a very experienced pair; having been together for 10 years now, they certainly know their way around some of the biggest tracks in the world.
Andrew Hoy & Rutherglen sit close second on a 40.8. Photo by Kate Samuels
Andrew Hoy made a valiant effort to catch the leader Sam Griffiths, but he and Rutherglen fell just .6 of a point short, scoring a 40.8. This places them firmly in second place, and in a good position for the rest of the weekend. This horse is a truly lovely mover, with an overreach like nothing I’ve ever seen before in his medium and extended movements. They were 11th a few months ago at Luhmühlen with a 51.2 on the flat and just three rails to add to that score, so I think they’ll be quite competitive here.
Izzy Taylor had a really nice test with KBIS Briarlands Matilda, scoring a 48.3 to sit in fifth place provisionally. They were 17th this year at Badminton, surviving the course with just one stop on their record, which was their first CCI4* completion. This is their first Burghley together, and I am definitely rooting for this mare here this weekend.
Izzy Taylor & KBIS Briarlands Matilda had a lovely test for a 48.3 and fifth place. Photo by Kate Samuels.
Meghan O’Donoghue and Pirate compete at 4:05 p.m. BST (11:05 a.m. EST), and last to go of the day is Marilyn Little and RF Demeter at 4:21 p.m. BST (11:21 a.m. EST). Stay tuned for more photos and video interviews with the American riders, and be sure to follow along for live commentary on Meghan and Marilyn’s test in the Horse & Hound dressage live blog here. Go Burghley.
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