A Small Matter of Keeping the Poles in the Cups – Live Blog from the Show Jumping Finale at Defender Burghley

On track to finish on their dressage, Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo head into the finale at the head of the pack on a score of 22. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

And so we find ourselves on the edge of our seats, chomping at the bit to discover who will take home the Burghley trophy, but there’s much more than the glory, impressive purse and gorgeous piece of silverware at stake this year, for the winner will also be awarded with their weight in beer courtesy of Hawkestone. It’s not clear whether they’ve committed to the rider’s weight, the horse’s, or both, but there’s for sure an argument that eventing is very much a whole team effort and therefore horse, rider, owners, grooms, sponsors, breeders, and the entire team at home are all winners. (Can we go as far as sire and dam?) Just saying.

But before we go about inviting ourselves to the champion’s celebrations to share the spoils, there’s the small matter of keeping the poles in the cups and the top 20 are waiting in the wings to have a go at doing just that.

Things are due to kick off at 2:15pm local time / 3:15pm CET / 9:15am ET with Britain’s Harry Meade and Cavalier Crystal getting things underway in this afternoon’s session, jumping out of order as Harry has no fewer than three rides in the top 15; they come into the final phase in 5th place. The rest of the competitors are due to come forward in reverse order, although Harry had his round with 15th placed Superstition this morning, jumping clear inside the time and finishing on a score of 42.9.

Fighting for their weight in beer at the top of the table as things stand are:

1️⃣ Britain’s Ros Canter with Lordships Graffalo on a, frankly, ridiculous score of 22 are looking to do the double with a win at both the big Bs after coming out on top at Badminton last year.
2️⃣ 3.5 points behind is New Zealand’s – Tim Price with Vitali on 25.5.
3️⃣ And 2.3 points behind them is Britain’s Harry Meade with Annaghmore Valoner on a score of 27.8.

Basically, Ros doesn’t have a fence in hand over Tim, who doesn’t have a fence in hand over Harry, who doesn’t have a fence in hand over Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza in 4th, or himself with Cavalier Crystal in 5th. It’s tight at the top and we’re in for an exciting finale to Defender Burghley!

🇺🇲 If you’re rooting for the US, this is what you need to know:

📍 Mia Farley and Phelps were in 34th place overnight on a score of 77.3 after picking up 20 jumping and 23 time penalties out on cross country. They jumped this morning and had four fences and 1.2 time, putting them on a Burghley completion score of 94.5.

📍Andrew McConnon and Wakita 54 – were in 29th place overnight on a score of 60 after picking up 19.6 time yesterday. They also jumped this morning and had two fences and 2 time, putting them on an overall score of 70.

📍Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M parted ways out on the cross country which brought their competition to an early end.

Jumping in the top 20 are:

📍Cosby Green and Copper Beach – currently in 15th place on a score of 44.4 .

📍 Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle – currently in 18th place on a score of 49.9.

Click here to see how this morning’s competitors got on and how things look for the rest of the combinations coming forward this afternoon.

If you’ve missed out on our coverage thus far, don’t fret, catch up here:

▶️ Dressage Day One: [Test-by-test reports] [Morning round-up report] [Afternoon round-up report]

▶️ Dressage Day Two: [Test-by-test reports] [Morning round-up report] [Afternoon round-up report]

▶️ Cross Country: [Live blog of all the action] [Round-up report]

Here at EN we’ve been beavering (chinchilla-ing, if you will) away to bring you all manner of cool content, so whilst we await the bell, get stuck in to all things Burghley and mosey on along to our IG account for even more @goeventing.

Remember the rule from yesterday’s pop quiz? The first rule of live updates: refresh, refresh, refresh if you want to keep up with live updates.

There’s (potentially, a lot) of beer at stake ENers, let’s go eventing!

Defender Burghley: [Website] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Burghley TV] [Tickets] [EN’s Coverage]

EN’s coverage of Defender Burghley is proudly presented by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional support for every horse. Click here to learn more about KPP.

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10:12am ET

And that’s it. Burghley is over for another year and the Burghley champions have been crowned (and are on their way to collect on that beer).

Click here for the full scoreboard.

If you’re not ready for it all to end (join the club), keep it locked on to EN for our round-up report of all that went down to culminate in glory and beer for Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo – coming right up.

And if you need even more, like, right now, click here for all of EN’s Burghley content.

What a competition. What a sport. Go eventing!

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10:07am ET

We really are all living in Walter’s world and it’s pretty dang good.

Here’s the top 3:

1️⃣ Winners of the whole dang thang are Britain’s Ros Canter and Lorships Graffalo on a score of 23.6 – a record Burghley finishing score.

2️⃣ The 2024 runners-up, 5.9 points behind, are New Zealand’s Tim Price and Vitali on 29.5.

3️⃣ And taking the final podium spot are Britain’s Harry Meade and Cavalier Crystal who have finished on their dressage score of 31.3.

Harry’s also in 4th with Annaghmore Valoner and has finished up with all three of his rides in the top 12.

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10:05am ET

ROS CANTER AND LORDSHIPS GRAFFALO WIN DEFENDER BURGHLEY 2024!

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10:02am ET

🇬🇧 Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage Score: 22
Cross Country Penalties: 0+0
Overall: 22 – 1st

OK, this is it. Are we watching our Burghley champions?

Easy over the first, careful over the second. Balanced round the turn and right over the third. He doesn’t even notice the fourth and there’s no question over 5 or 6, or 7. They come round to the treble at 8 and tap the middle part but it stays. The Mars oxer’s no bother at 9 and the black and white rails at 10 are perfect. Over the double and clear of the Defender Finale and HERE ARE YOUR BURGHLEY WINNERS!!! Just 1.6 time to add.

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo finish on a score of 23.6.

It’s a record Burghley finishing score!

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10am ET

🇳🇿 Tim Price and Vitali

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage Score: 22.3
Cross Country Penalties: 0+3.2
Overall: 25.5 – 2nd

OK, hold your breath. The crowd has been asked not to clap as he comes into the ring. Vitali really does get hyped up, as we see very clearly at the horse inspections. It’s silent in there but for Vitali’s breathing. His head’s in the air over the first couple of fences but so far so good. Vitali’s really being careful and jumping out of his skin. He’s clear through fence 7. The treble comes up and Tim’s riding brilliantly. He touches the Mars oxer at 9 and is still clear. He’s clear over 10 but then, oh, he has the second part of the double at 11. One to go. Clear over the Defender Finale. Good job Vitali, and Tim, of course. Just one fence down and holding on to second place.

Tim Price and Vitali finish on a score of 29.5.

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9:57am ET

🇬🇧 Harry Meade and Annaghmore Valoner

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage Score: 27.8
Cross Country Penalties: 0+0
Overall: 27.8 – 3rd

This mare may not have the most experience but she sure looks class as she clears the first two fences, she’s jumping her socks off. They get in deep to the third and the crowd gasps. They tap the oxer with the watertray at 5 but it stays. Their luck runs out at the black and white rails at 10 and that comes down. They put that behind them though and finish up with no further problems. One down for them.

Harry Meade and Annaghmore Valoner finish on a score of 31.8.

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9:55am ET

🇫🇷 Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza II

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage Score: 26.8
Cross Country Penalties: 0+3.6
Overall: 30.4 – 4th

This mare is usually careful but she just doesn’t get up high enough over the first and has it down. There’s a tap at the oxer at 3 but it stays and then they rub 6, but that also stays. There’s a big rattle at the first part of the treble at 8 but their luck holds. Gaspard says “Woah” as he makes his way through there with the mare getting quite keen. They finish up clear. One down for them.

Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza II finish on a score of 34.4.

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9:52am ET

🇬🇧 Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage Score: 29.7
Cross Country Penalties: 0+2.4
Overall: 32.1 – 6th

Chilli Knight’s a bit squirrelly before the first and the second but Gemma keeps things together and there’s no question of the poles staying up. They quickly settle into their round and easily clear the next few fences. There’s a tap at the treble at 8 but then the Mars oxer at 9 just doesn’t come up for them and they have that down. They’re clear the rest of the way round. One fence down for them.

Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight finish on a score of 36.1.

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9:50am ET

🇳🇿 Monica Spencer and Artist

Photo by Sally Spickard.

Dressage Score: 24.4
Cross Country Penalties: 0+8.4
Overall: 32.8 – 7th

This pair have a bit of a rub at the first and then tap the second. Both stay up. They get up higher over the oxer at 3 and then easily clear the Rolex fence at 4. They have another tap at 5 – the oxer with the watertray – and then their luck runs out at 7 and they have that down. They tap all the poles at both elements of the double at 11 but their luck’s back and everything stays up. One fence down for them and 2 time penalties.

Monica Spencer and Artist finish on a score of 38.8.

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9:47am ET

🇬🇧 Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage Score: 28.6
Cross Country Penalties: 0+5.6
Overall: 34.2 – 8th

This horse has already proved what a good jumper he is and he’s only proving that once again as he flies over the fences with buckets of room to spare. There’s a tiny tap at 6 but absolutely no worries. It’s a bit of a rattle in the middle part of the treble combination at 8 but it stays. They jump very neatly through the double at 11 and then over the Defender Finale for a clear round. No worse than 8th for them.

Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift finish on a score of 34.2.

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9:45am ET

🇫🇷 Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold HDZ

Photo by Eventing Nation.

Dressage Score: 26.1
Cross Country Penalties: 0+8.8
Overall: 34.9 – 9th

Absolut Gold shows his class over the first few fences and nothing seems to be a problem for them so far. This big horse has to really shorten in the treble combination at 8 and taps the vertical on the way out but it stays. They have a rattle at the b element of the double at 11 but that also stays. They continue on and finish up clear. Nicolas gives a yell and is clearly thrilled.

Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold HDZ finish on a score of 44.9.

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9:42am ET

🇬🇧 Alexander Bragg and Quindiva

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage Score: 35.1
Cross Country Penalties: 0+0
Overall: 35.1 – 10th

Alex is looking to join the elite club of finishing on his dressage at Burghley. He comes quietly into the first fence and then really has a beautiful jump over the second. ‘Diva’ is such a good show jumper and she’s really showing that off. She’s not even breathing on these fences. This round must feel really good for Alex. Not a problem for this pair. Alex punches the air and gallops along to share his celebrations with the crowd. Clear and guaranteed top 10 for them.

Alexander Bragg and Quindiva finish on a score of 35.1.

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9:40am ET

🇬🇧 Alice Casburn and Topspin

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage Score: 36.6
Cross Country Penalties: 0+1.6
Overall: 38.2 – 11th

Alice takes a breath before turning towards the first fence. She sets Topspin up for the Lion Bridge at 2 and they give the Rolex Grand Slam fence at 4 plenty of room. This is a really confident round so far. Alice reminds Topspin to shorten up through the treble with a ‘Woah’ and he’s right with her. The whole shebang looks sweet and easy and they finish with a clear round. Easy and class.
Alice Casburn and Topspin finish on a score of 38.2.

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9:37am ET

🇮🇪 Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue

Photo by Sally Spickard.

Dressage Score: 33.9
Cross Country Penalties: 0+4.8
Overall: 38.7 – 12th

This pair are neat over the first and leave nothing to chance at the Lion Bridge at 2, clearing it easily. ‘Salty’ is really jumping his socks off. Oh, he jumps up too high over the oxer with the watertray at 5 and comes down on the back rail. They put it behind them but there’s an uncomfortable looking jump at the vertical at 10 but they’re clear. The oxer out of the double at 11 is a similar story to the one they had at 5 and that goes. Two fences for them.

Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue finish on a score of 46.7.

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9:35am ET

🇨🇭 Felix Vogg and Cartania

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage Score: 28.8
Cross Country Penalties: 0+12
Overall: 40.8 – 13th

This mare is jumping really nicely at the start of the course and gives the big oxer at 3 lots of air. The round looks careful and steady but he’s taking very tight lines. They pay the price for that at the upright at 7 and have it down. Cartania continues on carefully and doesn’t even breathe on any of the poles. One down for them.

Felix Vogg and Cartania finish on a score of 44.8.

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9:32am ET

🇺🇸 Cosby Green and Copper Beach

Cosby Green and Copper Beach. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage Score: 31.6
Cross Country Penalties: 0+12.8
Overall: 44.4 – 15th

Cosby brings her experienced campaigner in and he jumps the first well. He’s a little hollow over the second and he’s got his own technique over the fences that’s for sure. It doesn’t look easy but Cosby’s doing a great job and all the fences have stayed up. He taps the first part of the treble at 8 and gives not an inch over the two verticals coming out, but all the poles stay put. They take out the second part of the double at 11 and then clear the final fence. One fence and 1.2 time.

Cosby Green and Copper Beach finish on a score of 49.6.

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9:30am ET

🇯🇵 Ryuzo Kitajima and Feroza Nieuwmoed

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage Score: 33
Cross Country Penalties: 0+15.2
Overall: 48.2 – 16th

They come quietly into the third and climb up over it. Wow, they were lucky that stayed up. But Feroza picks up better over the next couple of fences and really stretches over the oxer with the watertray at 5. They tap their way through the treble combination at 8 but all the poles stay put. They’re careful through the double at 11 and finish up with a great jump over the Defender Finale. Clear with 1.2 time.

Ryuzo Kitajima and Feroza Nieuwmoed finish on a score of 49.4.

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9:27am ET

🇬🇧 Libby Seed and Heartbreaker Star Quality

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage Score: 36.1
Cross Country Penalties: 0+12.4
Overall: 48.5 – 17th

This pair have a real problem at fence 2 and really run into it. But then the horse is very neat over fence 3 and is really jumping well as she continues round the course. She stretches right out over the Mars oxer at 9 and is really giving all the fences buckets of height. Wow, she leaps right up into the air over the last. One fence down and one second over.

Libby Seed and Heartbreaker Star Quality finish on a score of 52.9.

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9:25am ET

🇺🇸 Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle

Photo by Sally Spickard.

Dressage Score: 34.7
Cross Country Penalties: 0+15.2
Overall: 49.9 – 18th

‘Foxy’ looks up for it as he comes round to the vertical at 1 and he makes nothing of the Lion Bridge at 2. There’s a tiny rattle at 3 but no question it’s staying up. He shows his scope over the oxer with the watertray at 5 but then takes the upright at 7, he just didn’t quite get up high enough. Jennie’s really helping Foxy out as they continue on clear up to the double but then unfortunately take the second part. They finish with two fences down.

Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle finish on a score of 57.9.

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9:22am ET

🇬🇧 Wills Oakden and A Class Cooley

Dressage Score: 30.6
Cross Country Penalties: 0+19.6
Overall: 50.2 – 19th

Unfortunately we miss the start of Wills’ round while Nadja’s being interviewed but he clears the Rolex Grand Slam fence at 4 looking very classy. He really pushes off the ground and stretches over the wide oxers. He’s neat and tidy over all the fences and is clear all the way. Just two seconds over.

Wills Oakden and A Class Cooley finish on a score of 51.

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9:20am ET

🇬🇧 Max Warburton and Deerpairc Revelry

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage Score: 28.9
Cross Country Penalties: 0+22
Overall: 50.9 – 20th

This combination look very relaxed as they start their round. The first three fences pose no problem and the horse shows his scope over the wide oxer at 5. He’s got his ears pricked and is jumping out of his skin. He rattles the final part of the combination at 8 but it stays up. What an exciting prospect this horse is for the future. They rattle the last but it stays up and they’re clear. Just a second over.

Max Warburton and Deerpairc Revelry finish on a score of 51.3.

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9:17am ET

🇨🇭 Nadja Minder and Toblerone

Photo by Eventing Nation.

Dressage Score: 31
Cross Country Penalties: 0+21.2
Overall: 52.2 – 21st

The clear the upright at 1 and then the Lion Bridge. The come round to the oxer at 3 and stretch right over. 4 is no trouble and they come back round to 5, tap the back rail but it stays. Toblerone’s jumping his socks off. He’s really careful through the treble combination at 8 and really stretches over the Mars oxer at 9. They roll back to the double at 11 and take a tap but it stays. Clear with 0.8 time for them and a superb Burghley finish.

Nadja Minder and Toblerone finish on a score of 53.

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9:15am ET

🇬🇧 Harry Meade and Cavalier Crystal

Photo by Eventing Nation.

Dressage Score: 31.3
Cross Country Penalties: 0+0
Overall: 31.3 – 5th

Cavalier Crystal looks keen for the job and clears the first. The Lion Bridge at 2 is no problem. They stretch over the oxer at 3 and clear the Rolex Grand Slam fence. The watertray at 5 is no trouble and the next to the same. They tap the first part of the treble combination at 8 but it stays. They continue on clear and the horse really is showing off her superb jumping ability. They clear the Defender Finale and there’s a cheer.

Harry Meade and Cavalier Crystal finish on a score of 31.3.

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Defender Burghley: [Website] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Burghley TV] [Tickets] [EN’s Coverage]

EN’s coverage of Defender Burghley is proudly presented by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional support for every horse. Click here to learn more about KPP.

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