I bumped into Sinead Halpin, (as you do when you’re wandering around the Land Rover Burghley Three Day Event!) this morning as she was heading for a hack on a surprisingly relaxed Manoir de Carneville – it’s the new Tate, we talked about how well he’s handling the pressure at the big events these days, and how well she’s coping too.
Of course, we’ll be willing them on silently from the sidelines tomorrow, and taking lots of pictures, and cheering them on very loudly on Saturday. Thanks for stopping to chat – Go Sinead and Tate, and Go Eventing.
I bumped into Lauren Shannon Thursday morning taking Zero Flight for an early hack before her dressage test at 11:30. Unlike the other riders who had passed the trot up the night before and breathed a huge sigh of relief however, she told me she was on her way to the doctor to get final clearance to ride after breaking her wrist about a month earlier. Lauren also cleared up the matter of her heritage for us, as well as telling us a little about her horse and her very entertaining blog for Horse and Hound.
Lauren rode a lovely, accurate test in the end, and I’ll be posting an interview with her coach, the multi-talented, muti-tasking Judy Bradwell later. Lauren also told me that she coudn’t definitively rule out riding for the USA one day either. Thanks so much for chatting, Lauren, and best of luck this weekend. You can read her Horse and Hound blog here, and follow her on twitter here. Go Lauren and Go eventing.
Lenamore is such a popular horse within eventing circles, and I doubt there’s anyone that would begrudge him and Caroline Powell a repeat win here at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials this year. I spoke to her about the little grey wonder horse after her dressage test on her first ride Mrs Tilly this morning.
Looking forward to watching Lenamore go this weekend; many thanks and best of luck. Go Caroline and go eventing!
Sam Griffiths put in a good morning’s work at the office on his lovely Happy Times to finish the first day of dressage at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in sixth place. This despite a couple of handicaps including being first to go and some pesky flies, he explained to Horse and Hound’s Pippa Roome and I, as we grilled him after his test
Many thanks to Sam for his time, and wishing him and Happy Times a safe and speedy round on Saturday. Go Eventing!
I bumped into Lauren Shannon Thursday morning taking Zero Flight for an early hack before her dressage test at 11:30. Unlike the other riders who had passed the trot up the night before and breathed a huge sigh of relief however, she told me she was on her way to the doctor to get final clearance to ride after breaking her wrist about a month earlier. Lauren also cleared up the matter of her heritage for us, as well as telling us a little about her horse and her very entertaining blog for Horse and Hound.
Lauren rode a lovely, accurate test in the end, and I’ll be posting an interview with her coach, the multi-talented, muti-tasking Judy Bradwell later. Lauren also told me that she coudn’t definitively rule out riding for the USA one day either. Thanks so much for chatting, Lauren, and best of luck this weekend. You can read her Horse and Hound blog here, and follow her on twitter here. Go Lauren and Go eventing.
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!
I bumped into Sinead Halpin, (as you do when you’re wandering around the Land Rover Burghley Three Day Event!) this morning as she was heading for a hack on a surprisingly relaxed Manoir de Carneville – it’s the new Tate, we talked about how well he’s handling the pressure at the big events these days, and how well she’s coping too.
Of course, we’ll be willing them on silently from the sidelines tomorrow, and taking lots of pictures, and cheering them on very loudly on saturday. Thanks for stopping to chat – Go Sinead and Tate, and Go Eventing.
William rode a beautiful test (three 9’s for his riding) on Parklane Hawk in the horse’s first four star to take the Thursday dressage lead at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, despite halting in the wrong place at the end. William told us he hopes he doesn’t rue his mistake on Sunday evening, but with the calibre of riders and horses to come later he said he well might. Basically he blamed it on a brain fart after riding the halt at L in Luhmuhlen last week, and he compared being in the arena, with the tension and atmosphere to being in an exam, he said your mind just goes blank sometimes – even William Fox-Pitt has those moments!
He was full of nothing but praise for his horse, who stayed calm and relaxed and dealt with the occasion with wonderful aplomb, and the exciting thing, unless you’re his competition, is that there’s so much more to come from this horse. William talked to us about the course here at Burghley this weekend.
We all wished him well, and told him we’d like to have a much less “thrilling” cross country ride on saturday, especially his wife Alice, who was standing nearby nodding vehemently and laughing, much less Mr Stickability, more Mr Cool again please!
Andrew Nicholson and Avebury from New Zealand are in second and Elizabeth Powers and Kilpatrick River are in third for Ireland. Boyd and Neville Bardos are sitting in 12th. Hawley Bennett–Awad and Gin & Juice are tied for 23rd and Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz are in 34th. Full scores are here and video of the rides is here.
Good luck, William, thanks for talking, congratulations, and Go Eventing!
William rode a beautiful test (three 9’s for his riding) on Parklane Hawk in the horse’s first four star to take the Thursday dressage lead at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, despite halting in the wrong place at the end. William told us he hopes he doesn’t rue his mistake on Sunday evening, but with the calibre of riders and horses to come later he said he well might. Basically he blamed it on a brain fart after riding the halt at L in Luhmuhlen last week, and he compared being in the arena, with the tension and atmosphere to being in an exam, he said your mind just goes blank sometimes – even William Fox-Pitt has those moments!
He was full of nothing but praise for his horse, who stayed calm and relaxed and dealt with the occasion with wonderful aplomb, and the exciting thing, unless you’re his competition, is that there’s so much more to come from this horse. William talked to us about the course here at Burghley this weekend.
We all wished him well, and told him we’d like to have a much less “thrilling” cross country ride on saturday, especially his wife Alice, who was standing nearby nodding vehemently and laughing, much less Mr Stickability, more Mr Cool again please!
Andrew Nicholson and Avebury from New Zealand are in second and Elizabeth Powers and Kilpatrick River are in third for Ireland. Boyd and Neville Bardos are sitting in 12th. Hawley Bennett–Awad and Gin & Juice are tied for 23rd and Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz are in 34th.
Good luck, William, thanks for talking, congratulations, and Go Eventing!
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!
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!
My videos are taking forever to upload so I’m just going to try and give you these pictures as quickly as I can before I get back out to the dressage and catch more action. Lots more to come. For scores click here.
Kitty King worked High Havoc early this morning, I like this horse more the more I see him, and he certainly looks fit and ready to run. Not sure if it’s slightly depressing or reassuring for riders if they finish a dressage school and walk out absolutely on fire as if it took nothing out of them at all and are ready to go cross country straight away!
Hot and sunny here today, any excuse for the Brits to strip off, I’m just waiting for ESJ to follow suit so I can post the proof on twitter!
Tom Crisp giving Liberal a school ahead of his 4:30pm test
I had a lovely chat with Lauren Shannon which I hope to post soon, she was going for a hack ahead of her late morning test, which was accurate and smooth on Zero Flight.
I’m sorry, who are you with?
Come on, Team Boyd!
Australia’s Happy Times and Sam Griffiths currently lying fourth. Chef D’Equipe Brett Mace arrived here this morning straight from team training at Boomerang, and will stay for Blenheim, so the Aussies have a huge support crew here. More from Sam on video later.
Erik Duvander, Kiwi Eventing Team High Perfomance Manager, and Rosemary Barlow, owner of Avebury GB Horse Trials Support Group Guru watch Andrew Nicholson, currently lying 2nd, warm up
Fellow competitor Nick Gauntlett helps Francis Whittington warm up Sir Percival
Unfortunately Sir Percival got a bit tense in the arena for a bit of a disappointing test for Francis
Lucinda Murray watching the Aussies, and the competition
Some good work from Chris Burton and Holstein Park Leilani but not their best test and they were unhappy with their score
Buck is here to help Hawley, but said it’s nice to also be able to watch and learn from all the other riders without having his own horse(s) to concentrate on for once. His girlfriend Andrea is also with him, and they might even end up taking a nice young horse or two home with them if things go right! Happy Horse Hunting!
I leave you with ESJ! I must go and watch Boyd, I have tons more pictures, lots of great video interviews, from my poor victims, not me, so stay with EN, and Go Land Rover Burghley Eventing!
My videos are taking forever to upload so I’m just going to try and give you these pictures as quickly as I can before I get back out to the dressage and catch more action. Lots more to come. For scores click here.
Kitty King worked High Havoc early this morning, I like this horse more the more I see him, and he certainly looks fit and ready to run. Not sure if it’s slightly depressing or reassuring for riders if they finish a dressage school and walk out absolutely on fire as if it took nothing out of them at all and are ready to go cross country straight away!
Hot and sunny here today, any excuse for the Brits to strip off, I’m just waiting for ESJ to follow suit so I can post the proof on twitter!
Tom Crisp giving Liberal a school ahead of his 4:30pm test
I had a lovely chat with Lauren Shannon which I hope to post soon, she was going for a hack ahead of her late morning test, which was accurate and smooth on Zero Flight.
I’m sorry, who are you with?
Come on, Team Boyd!
Australia’s Happy Times and Sam Griffiths currently lying fourth. Chef D’Equipe Brett Mace arrived here this morning straight from team training at Boomerang, and will stay for Blenheim, so the Aussies have a huge support crew here. More from Sam on video later.
Erik Duvander, Kiwi Eventing Team High Perfomance Manager, and Rosemary Barlow, owner of Avebury GB Horse Trials Support Group Guru watch Andrew Nicholson, currently lying 2nd, warm up
Fellow competitor Nick Gauntlett helps Francis Whittington warm up Sir Percival
Unfortunately Sir Percival got a bit tense in the arena for a bit of a disappointing test for Francis
Lucinda Murray watching the Aussies, and the competition
Some good work from Chris Burton and Holstein Park Leilani but not their best test and they were unhappy with their score
Buck is here to help Hawley, but said it’s nice to also be able to watch and learn from all the other riders without having his own horse(s) to concentrate on for once. His girlfriend Andrea is also with him, and they might even end up taking a nice young horse or two home with them if things go right! Happy Horse Hunting!
I leave you with ESJ! I must go and watch Boyd, I have tons more pictures, lots of great video interviews, from my poor victims, not me, so stay with EN, and Go Land Rover Burghley Eventing!
The good news is that all the horses passed this afternoon, which means that 82 combinations go forward to the dressage phase, starting tomorrow at 9:30am. Local rider Sarah Cohen will be the official guinea -pig, and do the test-ride at 9:10am on Treason. One of my favourite horses (perhaps I mentioned that already?!) Happy Times will be first to go with Aussie Sam Griffiths, who also got the trot-up under way this afternoon,
Georgie Spence and Running Brook
Oliver Townend and Neo du Breuil
Oliver and Imperial Master
One of my picks to win, Francis Whittington and Sir Percival
Francis’ second ride, Easy Target. Stay tuned for news of a Francis Whittington clinic in the US soon.
Dag Albert and Tubber Rebel
Andrew Nicholson and Avebury
and with his second horse, a very fresh Nereo.
ESJ’s pick, Chris Burton currently riding for Australia with Holstein Park Leilani
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Georgie Spence and Running Brook
Oliver Townend and Neo du Breuil
Oliver and Imperial Master
One of my picks to win, Francis Whittington and Sir Percival
Francis’ second ride, Easy Target. Stay tuned for news of a Francis Whittington clinic in the US soon.
Dag Albert and Tubber Rebel
Andrew Nicholson and Avebury
and with his second horse, a very fresh Nereo.
ESJ’s pick, Chris Burton currently riding for Australia with Holstein Park Leilani
William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk
and with his second horse, Rolex 2011 ride Neuf des Couers
Another one that could definitely threaten the leaderboard – Kiwi Jock Paget and the lovely Clifton Promise
and with the second phase of his dual threat – Clifton Lush
Fellow kiwi, Caroline Powell and Mrs Tilly
and with the incredibly popular, incredibly spry, 2010 Burghley winner Lenamore
Ginnie Turnbull and Instant Reaction
Pippa Funnell and Mirage D’Elle
Pippa with Pure Addiction
Jeanette Brakewell (v shy!) and Primitive Pistol
Mary King was definitely moving slightly gingerly, but her horses both trotted up beautifully
Apache Sauce above
Lauren Shannon with Zero Flight
Joy Dawes’ Finnisterre
Hawley Bennet and Gin’n’Juice
Will Coleman and Twizzel
Matthew Wright and Well Spotted
Sweden’s Ludwig Svennerstal
Ireland’s Mark Kyle with Step in Time
Major Milestone and Mark Todd (as if I needed to title that picture!)
Fiona Hobby and Roma ML, passed on re-inspection
Gaby Cooke and Sir Roscoe
Boyd Martin (of course!) and superhorse Neville Bardos.
Although Jules Stiller looked very appropriate and won Best Dressed this afternoon, I loved Sinead’s look, and a few others, but would like to award a special prize to all the WAGs (Wives and Girlfriends) who’ve been representing so far, (it’s a thankless task!) especially Boyd’s stunning wife Silva.
Laurence Hunt and Phoebus
New Zealand’s Craig Nicolai and Just Ironic
Elizabeth Power and Kilpatrick River
for Ireland!
Sandhills Tiger has turned into a fire-breathing dragon since arriving at Burghley! Let’s hope he attacks the cross country in the same fashion; if Hamish can only keep him sane for ten minutes in the dressage all will be well. I stood and watched some of the trot up next to Prue Barrett, Australian Eventing Coach who’d originally had TIger, and as Hamish struggled to control him, she shook her head ruefully and laughed gently as if she was watching a wayward toddler!
Prue helping Sam Griffith (top of the class!) earlier today
Tom Crisp and Liberal
Popular vet James Robinson on another popular 18 year old Comanche
Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz
Jules Stiller and Chapel Amble (Best Turned Out)
Emily Llewellyn and Pardon Me II
Jessie Phoenix and Exponential – how could you pick which Canadian couple is cuter between Hawley and Ginny and this pair? Cant!
Ireland’s Louise Lyons and Watership Down
(useless trivia, which in an effort to match Beth Collier, thank you for the amazing comment re. Lambert’s Sofa on the xc jump by jump post, EN readers truly are the best! Watership Down was the novel about bunny rabbits by Richard Adams, with the heartbreaking theme tune by Simon and Garfunkel, Bright Eyes, and now the land where it’s set, Watership Down, belongs to Andrew Lloyd Webber, I think, and is part of the Highclere estate. Andrew’s wife, Madeleine was herself once a very accomplished young rider, and then senior rider completing Badminton on her dun horse, The Done Thing, which she then named her clothing company after, specialising in suede. But I digress, and I may also be a bit fuzzy on the details. Thank you also to another reader for pointing out that I did confuse my films, Mr Pink, Blue and Yellow etc were from Reservoir Dogs, NOT The Usual Suspects. My bad. Can you say ADD?
France’s Eddy Sans with Maryland de Brunel
Former World Champion and Burghley winner Blyth Tait
Looks Like Fun with Vicky Brake
Ireland’s Susan Shortt with Imperative
Michael Pollard and the beautiful grey TB Icarus
World Cup winer Kiwi Clarke Johnstone and Incognito III
Another kiwi, Dan Jocelyn and Special Advocate
South Africa’s Alexander Peternell and Tiger’s Eye II
Long, lean and leggy – could be describing either Prada or her rider Lucinda Fredericks.
Another addendum while I remember, from another comment back at Gatcombe. Someone had enquired after Bendigo, and I never saw Clayton or Lucinda again to ask them, but Prue told me today that he is fine, and Clayton is planning on taking him to Pau CCI 4*.
Germany’s Free Easy NRW with Simone Dieterman, passed on reinspection
Kyle jogged Madison Park from the right hand side again, he did the same at Rebecca Farm, and asked that the large crowds please not clap. Nonetheless he was accepted without incident. I saw Kyle walking the xc earlier and he told me he was settling in fine, although his two daughters are struggling somewhat with the jet lag. Go Kyle, and Go Jennifer (Mum)!
Nick Gauntlett and the stallion Chilli Morning
Polly Stockton, above with Westwood Mariner, fresh off riding for Team GB in Luhmuhlen, was walking the xc course with her young son in a backpack – no wonder she looks so good! When I told her how impressed I was she smiled, and admitted she might need some physio on her shoulders, and strode on – what a woman!
Sinead and Tate nailed it. Manoir de Carneville trotted down the lane as if butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth, and then as he passed the next horse to go, poor Bill Levett’s Political Trump he let out one huge buck aimed right at him as he went past, definitely the horsey equivalent of the middle finger!
Aussie Bill Levett (based for some time in GB) and Political Trump
Not my favourite outfit – it’s Burghley, but one of my favourite horses, and perhaps another that could be near the top or maybe on that Honour Roll come Sunday night. Clea Phillipps and Lead the Way.
Louisa Milne Home and King Eider
Zara Phillips and HIgh Kingdom
Angus Smales and Ballyvooney, passed upon reinspection
Buck Davidson appreciating the fashion, with canadian team vet, Dr Christiana Ober
Laura Collett and Noble Bestman
Look, no feet!
Ben Hobday, who chronicled his first time at Badminton for Horse and Hound so honestly and endearingly this Spring on Uptons Who, returns to Burghley with Guna Be Good. Good Luck to Ben, and to all the competitors. Thanks for reading and Go Eventing.
The good news is that all the horses passed this afternoon, which means that 82 combinations go forward to the dressage phase, starting tomorrow at 9:30am local time. Local rider Sarah Cohen will be the official guinea -pig, and do the test-ride at 9:10am on Treason. One of my favourite horses (perhaps I mentioned that already?!) Happy Times will be first to go with Aussie Sam Griffiths, who also got the trot-up under way this afternoon,
Georgie Spence and Running Brook
Oliver Townend and Neo du Breuil
Oliver and Imperial Master
One of my picks to win, Francis Whittington and Sir Percival
Francis’ second ride, Easy Target. Stay tuned for news of a Francis Whittington clinic in the US soon.
Dag Albert and Tubber Rebel
Andrew Nicholson and Avebury
and with his second horse, a very fresh Nereo.
ESJ’s pick, Chris Burton currently riding for Australia with Holstein Park Leilani
">
Georgie Spence and Running Brook
Oliver Townend and Neo du Breuil
Oliver and Imperial Master
One of my picks to win, Francis Whittington and Sir Percival
Francis’ second ride, Easy Target. Stay tuned for news of a Francis Whittington clinic in the US soon.
Dag Albert and Tubber Rebel
Andrew Nicholson and Avebury
and with his second horse, a very fresh Nereo.
ESJ’s pick, Chris Burton currently riding for Australia with Holstein Park Leilani
William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk
and with his second horse, Rolex 2011 ride Neuf des Couers
Another one that could definitely threaten the leaderboard – Kiwi Jock Paget and the lovely Clifton Promise
and with the second phase of his dual threat – Clifton Lush
Fellow kiwi, Caroline Powell and Mrs Tilly
and with the incredibly popular, incredibly spry, 2010 Burghley winner Lenamore
Ginnie Turnbull and Instant Reaction
Pippa Funnell and Mirage D’Elle
Pippa with Pure Addiction
Jeanette Brakewell (v shy!) and Primitive Pistol
Mary King was definitely moving slightly gingerly, but her horses both trotted up beautifully
Apache Sauce above
Lauren Shannon with Zero Flight
Joy Dawes’ Finnisterre
Hawley Bennet and Gin’n’Juice
Will Coleman and Twizzel
Matthew Wright and Well Spotted
Sweden’s Ludwig Svennerstal
Ireland’s Mark Kyle with Step in Time
Major Milestone and Mark Todd (as if I needed to title that picture!)
Fiona Hobby and Roma ML, passed on re-inspection
Gaby Cooke and Sir Roscoe
Boyd Martin (of course!) and superhorse Neville Bardos.
Although Jules Stiller looked very appropriate and won Best Dressed this afternoon, I loved Sinead’s look, and a few others, but would like to award a special prize to all the WAGs (Wives and Girlfriends) who’ve been representing so far, (it’s a thankless task!) especially Boyd’s stunning wife Silva.
Laurence Hunt and Phoebus
New Zealand’s Craig Nicolai and Just Ironic
Elizabeth Power and Kilpatrick River
for Ireland!
Sandhills Tiger has turned into a fire-breathing dragon since arriving at Burghley! Let’s hope he attacks the cross country in the same fashion; if Hamish can only keep him sane for ten minutes in the dressage all will be well. I stood and watched some of the trot up next to Prue Barrett, Australian Eventing Coach who’d originally had TIger, and as Hamish struggled to control him, she shook her head ruefully and laughed gently as if she was watching a wayward toddler!
Prue helping Sam Griffith (top of the class!) earlier today
Tom Crisp and Liberal
Popular vet James Robinson on another popular 18 year old Comanche
Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz
Jules Stiller and Chapel Amble (Best Turned Out)
Emily Llewellyn and Pardon Me II
Jessie Phoenix and Exponential – how could you pick which Canadian couple is cuter between Hawley and Ginny and this pair? Cant!
Ireland’s Louise Lyons and Watership Down
(useless trivia, which in an effort to match Beth Collier, thank you for the amazing comment re. Lambert’s Sofa on the xc jump by jump post, EN readers truly are the best! Watership Down was the novel about bunny rabbits by Richard Adams, with the heartbreaking theme tune by Simon and Garfunkel, Bright Eyes, and now the land where it’s set, Watership Down, belongs to Andrew Lloyd Webber, I think, and is part of the Highclere estate. Andrew’s wife, Madeleine was herself once a very accomplished young rider, and then senior rider completing Badminton on her dun horse, The Done Thing, which she then named her clothing company after, specialising in suede. But I digress, and I may also be a bit fuzzy on the details. Thank you also to another reader for pointing out that I did confuse my films, Mr Pink, Blue and Yellow etc were from Reservoir Dogs, NOT The Usual Suspects. My bad. Can you say ADD?
France’s Eddy Sans with Maryland de Brunel
Former World Champion and Burghley winner Blyth Tait
Looks Like Fun with Vicky Brake
Ireland’s Susan Shortt with Imperative
Michael Pollard and the beautiful grey TB Icarus
World Cup winer Kiwi Clarke Johnstone and Incognito III
Another kiwi, Dan Jocelyn and Special Advocate
South Africa’s Alexander Peternell and Tiger’s Eye II
Long, lean and leggy – could be describing either Prada or her rider Lucinda Fredericks.
Another addendum while I remember, from another comment back at Gatcombe. Someone had enquired after Bendigo, and I never saw Clayton or Lucinda again to ask them, but Prue told me today that he is fine, and Clayton is planning on taking him to Pau CCI 4*.
Germany’s Free Easy NRW with Simone Dieterman, passed on reinspection
Kyle jogged Madison Park from the right hand side again, he did the same at Rebecca Farm, and asked that the large crowds please not clap. Nonetheless he was accepted without incident. I saw Kyle walking the xc earlier and he told me he was settling in fine, although his two daughters are struggling somewhat with the jet lag. Go Kyle, and Go Jennifer (Mum)!
Nick Gauntlett and the stallion Chilli Morning
Polly Stockton, above with Westwood Mariner, fresh off riding for Team GB in Luhmuhlen, was walking the xc course with her young son in a backpack – no wonder she looks so good! When I told her how impressed I was she smiled, and admitted she might need some physio on her shoulders, and strode on – what a woman!
Sinead and Tate nailed it. Manoir de Carneville trotted down the lane as if butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth, and then as he passed the next horse to go, poor Bill Levett’s Political Trump he let out one huge buck aimed right at him as he went past, definitely the horsey equivalent of the middle finger!
Aussie Bill Levett (based for some time in GB) and Political Trump
Not my favourite outfit – it’s Burghley, but one of my favourite horses, and perhaps another that could be near the top or maybe on that Honour Roll come Sunday night. Clea Phillipps and Lead the Way.
Louisa Milne Home and King Eider
Zara Phillips and HIgh Kingdom
Angus Smales and Ballyvooney, passed upon reinspection
Buck Davidson appreciating the fashion, with canadian team vet, Dr Christiana Ober
Laura Collett and Noble Bestman
Look, no feet!
Ben Hobday, who chronicled his first time at Badminton for Horse and Hound so honestly and endearingly this Spring on Uptons Who, returns to Burghley with Guna Be Good. Good Luck to Ben, and to all the competitors. Thanks for reading and Go Eventing.
I was very happy to meet Colleen Rutledge yesterday as I set off on course yesterday to take pictures of the jumps. Shiraz looks fantastic – very fit, and was on high alert! Colleen told me she was looking forward to her husband and children arriving today, and coach Jimmy Wofford is also due to stop in and walk the cross-country with her on his way up to a family trip in Scotland.
Shiraz will be relieved that these pheasants are a) not real and b) in a coop! c) hopefully he’ll be far too focused to notice anyway as they’re on course in the combination at 20, but if you’ve been keeping up with Colleen’s blog, you’ll know pheasants and ducklings have been something of an issue!
I also caught up with fellow Americans Boyd Martin grazing Neville, (even though Eventing Safety John tries to claim him as an Aussie still!) – they both look wonderful, and I met Jules Stiller who is charming, and hope to catch up with the rest of the Americans later today.
Can he pull off the Badminton/Burghley double? Mark Todd catching up on EN tweets whilst hacking out on Major Milestone
The footing is perfect, and the weather forecast couldn’t be better for four star eventing – cloudy and cool. As ESJ and I chatted over a couple of ciders last night (EN expense account!) we couldn’t even pick a top 3 – this year is wide open and promises to be an exciting few days. Stay with us and go four star three day eventing!
It takes a skilled photographer like Nico Morgan to really demonstrate the sheer magnitude of some of these fences, mine simply don’t do them justice.
The Cottesmore Leap
Nico will be here all weekend, and luckily for Eventing Nation he’s agreed to share the lurve, so we’ll be bringing you lots more of his amazing photography. In the meantime, browse his website, and if you’re interested in using any of his photos, or purchasing them, contact him via email at [email protected], or by phone +44(0)7515 029261 (Mobile). Thanks, Nico, and Go Eventing!
Larger than life, our very own Eventing Safety John, hanging with the big boys on the far left as you look at the picture. Nico called it when he said it reminded him of The Usual Suspects, but which colour is Mr ESJ?!
Although every bit as prestigious, and some say even more demanding than Badminton, the energy here is completely different already. Of course there’s always the underlying current of nerves, but even Hamish ( Cargill ) remarked that it was more relaxed than he expected. Perhaps it’s because the stabling is in a temporary stabling block surrounded by wire fencing just like any other three day event, and all the lorries are parked in the field surrounding it?
The going is absolutely perfect. Sprinklers are being used throughout the course, and will continue until saturday as there is, wait for it…no rain in the forecast! I chatted to Tim Randle at the stables yesterday, who is treating vet here as his partner got stuck in the US thanks to Hurricane Irene related delays.
Tim at Rolex in the Spring
Tim was at Rolex in the spring as British Team vet, and rode around Badminton and Burghley many times on his lovely bay Legs Eleven; he remembered when Burghley was known for having somewhat firmer ground, but now, as he said, you’d be hard pushed to find better footing anywhere.
The first fence, probably the only “gimme” you’re going to get!
Fence 2, Lambert’s Sofa
Sitting next to the sofa, Lambert, I presume!
Fence 4a and b, where it gets serious – an enormous drop (or a slightly kinder, and more time consuming log) to the brush skinny.
Looking back up at the drop. It’s hard to convey how steep it really is. The terrain at Burghley is unrelenting – drops, mounds, road crossings, hills and undulations – and will play a huge factor on the 11:40 min course.
The “retro” skinny rails, but still a huge jump
The Trout Hatchery
Then you do a switch-back and go directly back into water into an adjacent pond!
Thanks to ESJ for this picture, fence 13, above; in a Bermuda Triangle moment I completely blanked on it, and it was the only one he published yesterday – spooky!
Scary – the drop at 4! (she’s in the leaf pit!)
But back to 13, 14 and 15 – a big loop of big houses, white rails, corners & oxers
Shiraz’ hero! “A plague on those pheasants..!” The attention to detail on the course is stunning.
Look up, look up, look up! Even without a Land Rover inside it, the infamous Cottesmore Leap is still massive, and is followed by three more plain, but huge fences…
Fence 24, above, is right on the lip of the road which competitors crossed previously after fence 17, the gnome house, to do this loop of big, galloping fences. Heres another shot to try and give you an idea how steep it is.
You can’t actually see, but the horses land in water here.
The last fence – 33 – wow!
Even the last fence is slightly complicated with groups of trees planted at the approach, so riders will have to plan their line inside or around them. The course is everything people have been saying it is – of course it’s big, it’s Burghley! It’s long, and it’s tiring, and time will be a factor. However, the going is fabulous, you could throw a dart onto the competitors’ list and probably hit a winner. Every rider here has a story, and they’ll each be looking to write their happy endings; I can’t wait to share some of them with you. Go Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and Go Eventing!
Many of the riders this morning were out working before the 10:30 briefing; some just stretching their horses, some just walking around the warm-up by the main arena, some having flat lessons. Lots of horses were very fresh on the way to and from the various working areas, but settled well once they started working, and I was lucky enough to stand and watch with Canadian coach David O’Connor and Chef D’Equipe George Graeme Thom for a while, and it was remarkable and wonderful again to me, that even at this, the very highest level of the sport, you still see all shapes and sizes of horse (and rider!), all manner of mover, and all condition – eventing is truly perpetually fascinating to me.
Always smiling: Jessie Phoenix and Exponential on their way back from a school
Will Coleman was focused on Twizzel
Looking at the main arena: Kitty King, Lucinda Fredericks and Polly Stockton.
Polly Stockton on Westwood Mariner
The Great British Hopes! Laura Collett and Georgie Spence
Laura and Georgie, aka Yogi’s Babe’s, warmed up together in walk, trot and canter, even doing changes across the diagonal in sync – pretty impressive!
Still one of my favourite horses and looking better than ever: Happy Times with Sam Griffiths. Sam worked a little in the warm up by the main arena, and then went down to the practise arena down by the lake for a lesson where they both looked awesome, and was planning on riding again after the trot up this afternoon.
Boyd and Lindsay walking Neville back to the stables after a good flat session
The prettiest couple? A fresh GInny looked like she could go all day. Hawley worked her as David watched.
Hawley’s groom Nathalia’s pick of the morning, (after Ginny of course!) Kitty King’s High Havoc
Most popular girl at Camp? Definitely Sinead!
Former World Champion & Burghley winner Blyth Tait on Santos
US born but representing GB, Lauren Shannon on Zero Flight
Sandhills Tiger, much better behaved under saddle with Hamish Cargill; he’d been giving poor Bols, Hamish’s girlfriend flying lessons earlier when she’d tried to hand walk him out for a pick of grass, but at least she told me she was glad to get a glimpse of the castle!
Oliver Townend on Neo du Breuil. I also hear on good authority that Flint Curtis is back in work which is nice news.
William Fox Pitt took advantage of a lull in proceedings while all the riders were at the briefing to take both his horses, ParkLane Hawk and Neuf des Couers, out for a walk and a hack. They are both similar stamps of horse and look terrific. Typically modest, William credited his team at home when I commented on this, but did remark that they are both very fit, and also pointed out that the course here at Burghley is a full minute longer than at Kentucky. He was also yet one more rider to comment on the wonderful going here, it’s just that good!
Things are ramping up; horses are being schooled, hacked, braided and polished in readiness for this afternoon’s trot up at 4pm local, while riders get a first look at the course. Two full days of dressage start at 9am on Thursday and Friday, then cross country from 11am until 5pm on Saturday.
Michael Pollard and I were talking about the slightly more relaxed atmosphere here compared to Badminton, and he thinks perhaps some of it is also due to timing – in the spring everyone has something to prove, they’re aiming for a major Championship, whereas here Burghley IS the culmination of the season for a lot of people, or definitely their horses.
Thanks for joining Eventing Nation in England for the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, and Go Eventing!
It takes a skilled photographer like Nico Morgan to really demonstrate the sheer magnitude of some of these fences, mine simply don’t do them justice.
The Cottesmore Leap
Nico will be here all weekend, and luckily for Eventing Nation he’s agreed to share the lurve, so we’ll be bringing you lots more of his amazing photography. In the meantime, browse his website, and if you’re interested in using any of his photos, or purchasing them, contact him via email at [email protected], or by phone +44(0)7515 029261 (Mobile). Thanks, Nico, and Go Eventing!
Larger than life, our very own Eventing Safety John, hanging with the big boys on the far left as you look at the picture. Nico called it when he said it reminded him of The Usual Suspects, but which colour is Mr ESJ?!
Many of the riders this morning were out working before the 10:30 briefing; some just stretching their horses, some just walking around the warm-up by the main arena, some having flat lessons. Lots of horses were very fresh on the way to and from the various working areas, but settled well once they started working, and I was lucky enough to stand and watch with Canadian coach David O’Connor and Chef D’Equipe George Graeme Thom for a while, and it was remarkable and wonderful again to me, that even at this, the very highest level of the sport, you still see all shapes and sizes of horse (and rider!), all manner of mover, and all condition – eventing is truly perpetually fascinating to me.
Always smiling: Jessie Phoenix and Exponential on their way back from a school
Will Coleman was focused on Twizzel
Looking at the main arena: Kitty King, Lucinda Fredericks and Polly Stockton.
Polly Stockton on Westwood Mariner
The Great British Hopes! Laura Collett and Georgie Spence
Laura and Georgie, aka Yogi’s Babe’s, warmed up together in walk, trot and canter, even doing changes across the diagonal in sync – pretty impressive!
Still one of my favourite horses and looking better than ever: Happy Times with Sam Griffiths. Sam worked a little in the warm up by the main arena, and then went down to the practise arena down by the lake for a lesson where they both looked awesome, and was planning on riding again after the trot up this afternoon.
Boyd and Lindsay walking Neville back to the stables after a good flat session
The prettiest couple? A fresh GInny looked like she could go all day. Hawley worked her as David watched.
Hawley’s groom Nathalia’s pick of the morning, (after Ginny of course!) Kitty King’s High Havoc
Most popular girl at Camp? Definitely Sinead!
Former World Champion & Burghley winner Blyth Tait on Santos
US born but representing GB, Lauren Shannon on Zero Flight
Sandhills Tiger, much better behaved under saddle with Hamish Cargill; he’d been giving poor Bols, Hamish’s girlfriend flying lessons earlier when she’d tried to hand walk him out for a pick of grass, but at least she told me she was glad to get a glimpse of the castle!
Oliver Townend on Neo du Breuil. I also hear on good authority that Flint Curtis is back in work which is nice news.
William Fox Pitt took advantage of a lull in proceedings while all the riders were at the briefing to take both his horses, ParkLane Hawk and Neuf des Couers, out for a walk and a hack. They are both similar stamps of horse and look terrific. Typically modest, William credited his team at home when I commented on this, but did remark that they are both very fit, and also pointed out that the course here at Burghley is a full minute longer than at Kentucky. He was also yet one more rider to comment on the wonderful going here, it’s just that good!
Things are ramping up; horses are being schooled, hacked, braided and polished in readiness for this afternoon’s trot up at 4pm, while riders get a first look at the course. Two full days of dressage start at 9am on thursday and friday, then cross country from 11am until 5pm on saturday.
Michael Pollard and I were talking about the slightly more relaxed atmosphere here compared to Badminton, and he thinks perhaps some of it is also due to timing – in the spring everyone has something to prove, they’re aiming for a major Championship, whereas here Burghley IS the culmination of the season for a lot of people, or definitely their horses.
Thanks for joining Eventing Nation in England for the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, and Go Eventing!
Although every bit as prestigious, and some say even more demanding than Badminton, the energy here is completely different already. Of course there’s always the underlying current of nerves, but even Hamish ( Cargill ) remarked that it was more relaxed than he expected. Perhaps it’s because the stabling is in a temporary stabling block surrounded by wire fencing just like any other three day event, and all the lorries are parked in the field surrounding it?
The going is absolutely perfect. Sprinklers are being used throughout the course, and will continue until saturday as there is, wait for it…no rain in the forecast! I chatted to Tim Randle at the stables yesterday, who is treating vet here as his partner got stuck in the US thanks to Hurricane Irene related delays.
Tim at Rolex in the Spring
Tim was at Rolex in the spring as British Team vet, and rode around Badminton and Burghley many times on his lovely bay Legs Eleven; he remembered when Burghley was known for having somewhat firmer ground, but now, as he said, you’d be hard pushed to find better footing anywhere.
The first fence, probably the only “gimme” you’re going to get!
Fence 2, Lambert’s Sofa
Sitting next to the sofa, Lambert, I presume!
Fence 4a and b, where it gets serious – an enormous drop (or a slightly kinder, and more time consuming log) to the brush skinny.
Looking back up at the drop. It’s hard to convey how steep it really is. The terrain at Burghley is unrelenting – drops, mounds, road crossings, hills and undulations – and will play a huge factor on the 11:40 min course.
The “retro” skinny rails, but still a huge jump
The Trout Hatchery
Then you do a switch-back and go directly back into water into an adjacent pond!
Thanks to ESJ for this picture, fence 13, above; in a Bermuda Triangle moment I completely blanked on it, and it was the only one he published yesterday – spooky!
Scary – the drop at 4! (she’s in the leaf pit!)
But back to 13, 14 and 15 – a big loop of big houses, white rails, corners & oxers
Shiraz’ hero! “A plague on those pheasants..!” The attention to detail on the course is stunning.
Look up, look up, look up! Even without a Land Rover inside it, the infamous Cottesmore Leap is still massive, and is followed by three more plain, but huge fences…
Fence 24, above, is right on the lip of the road which competitors crossed previously after fence 17, the gnome house, to do this loop of big, galloping fences. Heres another shot to try and give you an idea how steep it is.
You can’t actually see, but the horses land in water here.
The last fence – 33 -wow!
Even the last fence is slightly complicated with groups of trees planted at the approach, so riders will have to plan their line inside or around them. The course is everything people have been saying it is – of course it’s big, it’s Burghley! It’s long, and it’s tiring, and time will be a factor. However, the going is fabulous, you could throw a dart onto the competitors’ list and probably hit a winner. Every rider here has a story, and they’ll each be looking to write their happy endings; I can’t wait to share some of them with you. Go Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and Go Eventing!
I was very happy to meet Colleen Rutledge yesterday as I set off on course yesterday to take pictures of the jumps. Shiraz looks fantastic – very fit, and was on high alert! Colleen told me she was looking forward to her husband and children arriving today, and coach Jimmy Wofford is also due to stop in and walk the cross-country with her on his way up to a family trip in Scotland.
Shiraz will be relieved that these pheasants are a) not real and b) in a coop! c) hopefully he’ll be far too focused to notice anyway as they’re on course in the combination at 20, but if you’ve been keeping up with Colleen’s blog, you’ll know pheasants and ducklings have been something of an issue!
I also caught up with fellow Americans Boyd Martin grazing Neville, (even though Eventing Safety John tries to claim him as an Aussie still!) – they both look wonderful, and I met Jules Stiller who is charming, and hope to catch up with the rest of the Americans later today.
Can he pull off the Badminton/Burghley double? Mark Todd catching up on EN tweets whilst hacking out on Major Milestone
The footing is perfect, and the weather forecast couldn’t be better for four star eventing – cloudy and cool. As ESJ and I chatted over a couple of ciders last night (EN expense account!) we couldn’t even pick a top 3 – this year is wide open and promises to be an exciting few days. Stay with us and go four star three day eventing!
