It’s been an emotional day all round for US eventing here at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, and it was definitely moving to see so many fellow competitors come out to watch and support Boyd’s test on the miracle horse Neville.
I was chatting to Jock Paget, orginally from Australia, and also to Kiwi coach Erik Duvander, who both couldn’t pay Boyd enough compliments as they were telling me they remember Neville when he first started eventing and couldn’t move at all, “was just scrubbing along”, and to see the difference in him now, almost floating along the top of the ground at Burghley, not even taking into account what he’s survived is a credit to Boyd and Silva’s hard work and dedication.
EN favourite Hamish Cargill, after his test on Sandhills TIger, was disappointed. There was some really nice work, marred by some glitches, but Hamish saved what could have turned into a disaster and rode it really well. As usual with the Aussies, and in fact all the nations all day, it was nice to see the whole team come out to support him.
Unmistakably American unmistakably stylish: Jimmy Wofford arrived last night in time to watch Colleen’s dressage, and walk the course tomorrow morning. It was fun to stand with him and David O’Connor briefly and listen to them reminisce about Burghleys of old.
Colleen rode in her helmet and came out obviously disappointed with her test. She blamed herself for the mistakes, but Shiraz looked like he got tense and short. However, as Colleen said, “it is what it is”, and as Jimmy said, “it certainly isn’t a dressage competition”, and Colleen was extremely gracious, thanking everyone before walking Shiraz back to the barn.
As I left the warm-up to head back here to the press tent to start uploading all the videos from today, it’s still warm and sunny, and Oliver Townend was riding Imperial Master, Yogi Breisner was helping Laura Collett on Noble Bestman, and Polly Stockton had just finished working Westwood Mariner who I really, really like. Now I have to see how much video I can get up online before I drink ESJ and Nico under the table, perfect prep for another full day of dressage tomorrow! Stay tuned for more on Eventing Nation, go Burghley Dressage Day 1, and GO Eventing!
