Last year's serious American "Burghley Faces"
Two weeks from today will be CROSS COUNTRY DAY of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI****. Seriously folks, get excited. First off, Burghley this year is a big deal, because not only is it the only 4* in England this year due to the cancellation of Badminton, but it’s really one of the only big events that hasn’t been rained out (fingers crossed) where riders can really show their stuff. Secondly, Burghley offers a chance at redemption for those who had a less than amazing Olympic experience, or no Olympic experience at all. I think more than ever, the riders this year will be out there with their pants on fire, hungry to prove a few things to the public.
In case you missed it, here’s the XC preview video: [Burghley 2012 XC Preview]
So let’s have a quick look at the entries. There are 92 entries accepted, and loads of big names. We’ve got quite a few US entries this year, which include some Burghley newbies, and general newbies to the 4* level. Will Faudree is entered on his lovely mare Andromaque or “Missy”, after being left off the Olympic selection list earlier this summer. Both Arthur and Tate with their respective riders Allison & Sinead are somewhat in the same boat, with a bit to prove after a disappointing summer selection process that left them on the sidelines for the Olympics. Allison will be looking to prove that her performance at Rolex this year wasn’t just a fluke, and Sinead will be gunning for redemption after the the shock of what a lot of people thought was a sure thing this summer.
We also have a lot of entries from the US that are fairly new to this level, and will certainly be looking to have a good educational go around the biggest track they will ever jump. This includes Kate Hicks with Belmont who finished 15th at their first 4* this spring at Rolex. Also entered is Erin Sylvester with No Boundaries, who had a similarly wonderful performance at their first 4* this spring to finish 13th. The beautiful R-Star with Kristi Nunnink will be contesting their first Burghley after a strong win this summer at Rebecca Farms. Sharon White with “Reggie” have renewed their dedication to fitness and hope to improve upon their performance at Rolex this spring where Sharon pulled up 3/4 of the way around cross country because she felt Reggie was exhausted. MLM is also entered on Rovano Rex, however he was recently spun at the first jog at the Malmo World Cup Qualifier in Sweden, so we shall see if his continuing soundness issues allow Marilyn to compete.
Is our EN crush on WFP too obvious??
Let’s check out the heavy hitters who are rebounding from the Olympics from other countries. For simplicity, we’ll divide them up by nation.
ENGLAND: Oliver Townend is back in action with ODT Sonas Rovatio as well as Andrew Nicholson’s old ride Armada, due to the fact that Andrew just has too many 4* horses (#Nicholsonproblems). WFP was entered on Chilli Morning and Neuf des Coeurs, but has recently withdrawn both of them, and is left with only two rides for an easy weekend on the veteran Seacookie and Rolex winner Parklane Hawk. Tina Cook has got De Novo News entered, for what I believe is the 9 year old gelding’s first 4*. Mary King and the lovely King’s Temptress will be charging around the cross country, taking a few long and slightly scary distances, as is Mary’s style, but mostly making it look like child’s play. And last but not least, the incredible Pippa Funnell is entered on Mirage d’Elle, and one should never discount Pippa just because she’s been out of the spotlight a bit lately.
AUSTRALIA: Paul Tapner is back on form with Inonothing, winners of the 2010 Badminton 4*, after a gruesome accident at WEG, that left us wondering if Inonothing would be able to come back to that level of the sport. Megan Jones is entered on Kirby Park Allofasudden, who seems to have rebounded from the minor injury that required her resignation from the Australian team three days prior to the beginning of competition. Clayton Fredericks has Walterstown Don, and I bet he’ll be extra careful about his stud selection this time out, and cautious on those downhills. Sam Griffiths and Happy Times, the replacement in London for Megan and Allofasudden, suffered a really obnoxious non-jump-related fall on course at Greenwich, and are entered at Burghley looking for some redemption.
GERMANY: It just feels empty without Michael Jung……But seriously, Bettina Hoy is partnering with Lanfranco TSF, Dirk Schrade is riding Hop & Skip (a very cool horse that was sold to him after being on the Japanese team for WEG), and Anna Warnecke has got her 17 year old gelding Twinkle Bee, who is always great fun to watch on XC.
NEW ZEALAND: The entries from this country are minimal but also stacked this year, including four entries from members of the London team. Andrew Nicholson will be a force to be reckoned with no matter what he rides, but he’s got Avebury and Calico Joe this year. Caroline Powell is giving Lenamore a rest and partnering up with Boston Two Tip, while Jonathan Paget (pictured below in his Olympic “mugshot”) brings another Clifton horse to the mix, this time with Clifton Lush. Lucy Jackson is bringing Animator II to his first Burghley.
YESSSS I finally found an excuse to use this picture
So, I know it’s two weeeks out, but I’m already getting really really excited! Burghley TV will be streaming live, and we can all watch the big boys duke it out over the biggest cross country course in the world. Get ready, Eventing Nation!
