Just saw Boyd ride such a great test on Neville; lots of riders had come out to watch him especially, he has so much support, and there were even a few tears around me at the end. Boyd took it all in good humour, it’s been an emotional day already for US eventing here at Burghley, not sure how much more we can all take. Boyd was off to walk the course, Colleen goes last today at 4:45, (Jimmy Wofford and his wife are here safely!) and before I rush back out to watch Hamish, I wanted to try and give you some more photos.
Jock Paget rode with maturity well beyond his years to get some really nice moments from Clifton Promise. They have improved almost beyond recognition since Rolex 2010, and I can’t wait to see them for many years to come. He also rides Clifton Lush tomorrow, and I caught up with him on video for later.
Todd watching his Kiwi teammates on Major Milestone; he spoke later after his test on being slightly frustrated that Milo gets so tense in this phase, and just wishes he could find a way to make him realise it’s really nothing to get so worried about!
William Fox-Pitt still holds the lead, more from him soon too.
Ginnie Turnbull on Instant Reaction gets a Good Luck kiss before entering the arena!
Back soon, promise!
Pippa Funnell seems really happy to be back in the big time, thriving on the pressure, and rode a really polished test on Mirage D’Elle
Dressage supremo Ferdi Eilberg warming up Mary King
Apache Sauce looked really relaxed for Mary King
Mary King, always smiling, but especially happy with her test today, and rightfully so!
Lauren Shannon, a nice accurate test, video to come soon
Officially one of the smallest horses competing at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2011, Gin n Juice with Hawley Bennett-Awad
Irish Eventing Team Manager and multiple Burghley winner Ginny Eliot
The legend that is Mark Todd. He told us he was really pleased with the trot work, that the dressage has always been a struggle as he gets quite tense, “the poor thing, he just gets so wound up, he has got really good paces, his trot is really good,” and it’s about keeping his head in the right place. He also shared that he’s yet to walk the cross country course, but from what he’s heard he thinks it will suit his horse. Realistically however, he doesn’t see himself lifting his 6th Burghley trophy this year, and said he’d be happy to move up into the top ten. Milo’s last run was the British Open at Gatcombe, he was 11th here last year. Best of luck to Mark, who also told us that he’s saving Badminton winner NZB Land Vision for the Olympics next year.
Please may I remind you that if you want all the details on the tests you should definitely be following the Horse and Hound live blogging, I am fascinated by it sitting next to them on my mini-breaks – they are the shizzle, completely brilliant! Please click on the link to get all the insight, they completely know what they’re talking about.
Back out the fray, the crowds are huge for a first dressage day but Burghley is wonderful. Much more to come. Stay with Horse and Hound and Eventing Nation and Go Eventing!
