Classic Eventing Nation

Sunday Links

By on Sep 8, 2024 12:01 am -

Of all the moments yesterday, it’s always hard to pick just one favorite, but we’re going to go ahead and give our vote to Jesse Campbell, who jumped a clear round at Defender Burghley yesterday with Cooley Lafitte. As he crossed the finish, Jesse looked to the sky and paid a sweet tribute to his late wife, Georgie, who passed away in a cross country fall earlier this year. The resilience and kindness Jesse has shown in the wake of this loss has been nothing short of incredible, and we’re tipping our caps to his class and in honor of Georgie.

U.S. Weekend Events

Five Points H.T. (NC): [Website] [Entries / Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Flora Lea Fall H.T. (NJ): [Website] [Entries / Ride Times] [Volunteer]

CDCTA Fall H.T. (VA): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Major International Events

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

Links & Reading

MidSouth Eventing and Dressage Association – Pop Culture Representation Matters: Snoop at the Olympics

The Happiness Advantage

How to Sweat a Horse’s Leg

US Equestrian Wraps Paralympics with Record Medal Count

Waredaca to Offer Prize Money at October Classic Three-Day Event

Video Break

A #supergroom spotlight out of Burghley:

The Cross Country Debrief: The Burliest of Burghleys, The Topsy-Turviest of Leaderboards

By on Sep 7, 2024 5:06 pm -

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Collectively, there probably hasn’t been many hours of sleep logged amongst the competitors at Defender Burghley ahead of today’s cross-country day; what little that was, no doubt, was plagued with night sweats and prolonged horror stories featuring the brush arrowheads at the Leaf Pit (7ABCDE), which nearly every rider had referred to, grim-faced, as the biggest fences they’d ever seen. And big, they most certainly were: made of stiff brush, they towered over the heads of any rider foolish enough to stand on the landing side and try to peer over the top.

By any estimation, after two days spent talking to the riders, and a mizzly morning early today spent walking the lines and finding many of them down there doing the same thing, any one of us would have put money on this extraordinarily tough-looking question being the most influential of the day.

Until, of course, in fine five-star style, it wasn’t. But that, as I’ve found over so many years of reporting on this sport, is so often the way – the line that walks the hardest, and looks as though it’ll have no margin for error whatsoever, and keeps us all awake wondering what on earth we’re doing this all for, ends up being, well, a bit of a puppy dog of a thing. Is it because all the panic engenders a deeper level of respect to the approach? Is it because these rider frighteners that are actually surprisingly readable are a marker of quite remarkably canny course designing, in this case by Derek di Grazia? Or is it, probably, some alchemical combination of the two things?

I’d love to tell you we have the answer, but all we really have for you is this – the fact that, at the close of the day, just one rider out of 65 faulted at the Leaf Pit. That was a late-in-the-day rider fall for Jonelle Price, who set out of the start box meaning business on the 2022 Pau champion Grappa Nera, who twisted in the air over the first of those colossal skinny brushes and gave her pilot an unwanted flying lesson, putting paid to their bid for a leaderboard climb.

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Sorry, sorry, did you think that this meant that the course ultimately ended up being a bit of a breeze? Let’s not be silly.

This year, Derek built us a track that was packed with intensity, and serious five-star questions, in the first quarter, and that first quarter absolutely wrought its influence. 17 of our field of competitors ultimately picked up jumping faults of some description between the start and fence 11ABC, the latter part of the Trout Hatchery water, and ten of those finished their rounds within those fences, whether through tumbles – dramatic dunkings in the Trout Hatchery water for top-ten-placed Gireg le Coz as well as Padraig McCarthy, plus that Leaf Pit whoopsy for Jonelle – or run-outs and retirements, as for, among others, France’s Luc Chateau and Lithuania’s Aistis Vitkauskas at the first pass through Defender Valley, which also caught out overnight leaders Ros Canter and Izilot DHI, who skimmed out the side of the angled brush final element after the ditch, and Ros, as she did at Badminton this spring, opted to put her hand up and, presumably, plan a reroute.

So that was our leader out of contention, as just the second round of a day packed with drama. Pathfinders Harry Meade and Superstition had logged the early clear, though with 10.8 time penalties, and then our next two starters after Ros, Matt Heath and Golden Recipe and Pippa Funnell and her 2022 Pau winner MCS Maverick, both retired on course after running into trouble at various points of the track.

It would have been easy, then, to assume that the tone was set for the day, until the next two riders, Ireland’s Susie Berry on Irene Leva and British rider Aaron Millar on Friendship VDL, both navigated their five-star debutants to classy, steady clears on 20-odd time penalties.

So what was it to be, really? Ultimately, with the crystal clarity of hindsight, a day of classic Burghley action, basically. We look at this – the biggest, boldest of five-stars – as being a true eventing challenge, in which dressage plays its part but doesn’t play the whole part, and in which heroic efforts can pull deserving horses and riders thirty, forty, or fifty places up the leaderboard and give them a fighting chance of a competitive finish, and that’s exactly what today did.

The problems, when they came – and boy, did they come – were dispersed far and wide across the course, with Defender Valley at 5 giving it plenty of welly and the achingly wide Rolex Corners at 16AB offering up no shortage of sway, too, with their tough related distance. And two-thirds of the way through the day, that meant that of the dressage top-ten who’d left the start box – five, at that point – not a single one had completed.

Let’s, before we go any further, run through who those were, because their absence from the competition going forward is just as key as the addition of those who took their spots. We’ve discussed Ros, who might not come as a wild surprise, as she’d been nearly as vocal this week as she was at Badminton about potentially pulling up quirky, spooky Izilot DHI. But Emily King and Valmy Biats, fourth after dressage and hotly tipped for a first five-star win, called it a day on course too, having picked up a drive-by at the second angled hedge at 11BC, which caught out plenty through the day. They retired after that; a less dramatic finish than that of fifth-placed Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent, this year’s Kentucky winners, who had a slightly wiggly (though clear) jump through the final skinny brush at the Maltings at 15ABC, and then had the wheels fall of the bus entirely at the Rolex corners at 16AB. After jumping the first corner, the mare stumbled slightly after the first stride, and from that moment, it felt like a foregone conclusion: the line was lost, the angle was too severe, and though Oliver got his elbows out and tried to direct the mare’s considerable athletic ability between the flags, there was nothing that could be done. The clever mare picked up and quickly saw the fruitlessness of it all, put back down again, and collapsed the frangible fence while skirting her way around the side of it, sending Oliver tumbling into the wreckage but staying upright herself.

France’s Gireg le Coz and Aisprit de la Loge, seventh overnight, got their aforementioned dunking at the Trout Hatchery after a big jump in and a peck on landing, and Badminton winners Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier, eighth after dressage, retired at the first of the Rolex Corners after a frustrating run-out marred a til-then excellent round.

Phew. Okay. Did we mention that four of those falls, inclusive of a tumble for Hannah Sue Hollberg late in the course from Capitol H I M after leaving a leg at the Dairy Mound at 23ABC, came back-to-back without breaks?

For all the moments that left us gasping and – in the case of Burghley Radio interviewer Ben Way, accidentally punching everyone in close proximity in the boobs – though, there were so many truly exceptional bits of derring-do and some seriously thrilling moments of guts and gumption that pulled many of our seemingly out-of-the-hunt pairs right back into things today.

We’ll get into those shortly, but first: a moment for our overnight leaders, who certainly weren’t out of the hunt after dressage, but gave us one of the most fluid showcases of cross-country navigation we’ve ever seen as one of the last pairs to leave the startbox today.

That, of course, was Ros Canter, who swaps one leading horse for another and now helms the competition on her Badminton winner and European Champion Lordships Graffalo (Grafenstolz – Cornish Queen, by Rock King). It’s no small feat to tackle the Burghley course even in the freshest of headspaces, but doing so with a chance to win the whole thing, and just hours after a very early finish on your other competitive ride, is an extraordinary show of compartmentalisation.

But, says Ros, who made the whole thing look a bit like a schooling exercise en route to finishing one second inside the time, “I watched Tom Jackson, I watched Harry Meade, I watched a few of the really good ones and then I pulled myself away and had a bit of cereal and paced a bit — paced a lot.”

Then, she got to work forgetting about her morning in exchange for focusing on her afternoon, and her extraordinarily reliable longtime partner making his Burghley debut.

“I think we always thought Burghley might be another great event for him, and I’m just relieved. I’m quite relieved, to be honest,” she laughs. “I’ve been around Burghley a few times — not loads, but a few times — and I didn’t feel like I’d really cracked it until this afternoon, so when this morning went kind of fairly categorically wrong very early, it’s been a long wait, to be honest.”

When they left the box, though, nothing about their ride looked like it might have come after hours of waiting and, probably, worrying. They were so balanced and considered throughout that it would have been easy to start worrying, from the ground, that they might be a touch too slow – but Walter’s capacious natural gallop stride is deceptive, and as they came to the Dairy Mound in the latter part of the course, they were the fastest of the day at that stage.

“Sometimes I feel like I’m taking too many waits, but because he’s just got such a scopey stride and he just gets his head down, doesn’t he? He’s made to gallop,” smiles Ros.

The pair retain their first-phase score of 22 overnight, giving them a 3.5 penalty margin – not a rail, but some time – in hand over second-placed Tim Price and Vitali, our last pair on course today and last year’s two-phase leaders.

Tim Price and Vitali Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

They didn’t quite manage the clear inside the time – their smooth ride saw them add 3.2 time penalties – but for Tim, too, it was a reassuring way to end the day after a slightly tricker earlier round on the relatively inexperienced Viscount Viktor, who picked up a run-out, a missed flag, and a broken safety device across the course.

“He’s too good, isn’t he?” grins Tim, who followed an interesting path set by Tom McEwen at the Leaf Pit, choosing the steep left-handed approach up to the bank rather than the more smoothly sloping ‘ordinary’ route.

For Tim, the highlight of the round was the talented gelding’s continued improvement in this phase.

“He felt better than last year; fitter, I think. It was just a really fun experience. The thing that’s always happening, even though there’s always highs and lows, is he’s gaining experience, and he’s really gotten the whole package. He really used to nap going into the start box. The whole thing is really building the arsenal of what he understands.”

“It’s not his first time around these big tracks, but this was definitely the best he’s felt,” he continues. “He was galloping and moving, still jumping. And he’s a real privilege to ride around there, because he can go fast across the ground, but then you can balance him up at the end. At the double corners [16ab], which have been causing a lot of trouble, I jumped in there on four strides all day, and it probably was, but then I got scared and fiddled a fifth stride. But you can just do that with him, and that’s at six or seven minutes. So you know, to be able to do that is impressive, for what he’s capable of.”

There haven’t been any doubts about Vitali’s ability to perform in the first two phases; he’s had five previous five-star runs, and in all of them, he’s been well-placed in the first phase – including setting the dressage record here last year with an 18.7 – and quick and capable in the second. It’s the third that’s the issue: in four of those runs, he’s had three rails, and in his last, at Badminton this spring, he had five.

But who’s dwelling on the past? They delivered a smart clear in their prep run in the British Open Championship at Hartpury last month, and all Tim wants to do is look ahead.

“I just feel like he’s come here in very good form, and it’s just nice to go out tomorrow and have a jump and hopefully do a good job, and that’s a good campaign,” he says. “Really, that’s what it’s about, and I know he’s often been in a winning position. But I’m really trying to compile three decent phases in him, and if that’s a good result, then that’s secondary to what I’m trying to achieve with this horse.”

Harry Meade and Annaghmore Valoner. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Ros and Tim are joined on the podium by the busiest man of the week, Harry Meade, who piloted three horses around the track for clear, competitive rounds: the pathfinder of the day, Superstition (Satisfaction FRH – unknown, by Cordalame), added 10.8 time penalties for overnight 15th, despite only having run once in the past year, and he sits third and fifth, respectively, with final ride Annaghmore Valoner (Coroner – Annaghmore Lady Valier, by Black Walter) and second ride Crystal Cavalier (Jack of Diamonds – Cavalier Iris, by Cavalier Royale), both of whom added nothing to their first-phase scores, though Annaghmore Valoner was initially awarded 15 penalties for a late flag that the ground jury opted to remove without any appeal.

“I had five entered and probably left my two strongest cross country horses at home,” laughs Harry, who’ll take those two – Away Cruising and Et Hop du Matz – to Maryland next month.

Of third-placed Bramham CCI4*-L winner Annaghmore Valoner, who he inherited from Australia’s Sam Griffiths in early 2023, he says: “She’s a lovely horse. It’s her first five-star, and I’ve had to hold her hand so far around the two four-stars she’s done and build her confidence because she’s been a little unsure. She was a bonus [entry], so I thought I’d just crack on and not waste time, and she was comfortably inside.”

‘Comfortably’ is something of an understatement – though the mare always looked smooth as silk and totally comfortable within her cruising speed, she crossed the finish line as by far the fastest of the day, with thirteen seconds in hand.

“I tried to give her a quiet ride at speed,” says Harry. “I tried to set out really fast and steeplechase every straightforward fence, including fence one, but really hold her hand and give her confidence. She wouldn’t be that resilient – she’d get upset very easily even if she saw something in the crowd or caught a fence or something, she could just panic in her breathing. But she was wonderful from beginning to end. She grew and grew. She feels like she’s really come of age now. She was wonderfully professional and easily inside the time, and could have been even quicker.”

Harry Meade and Cavalier Crystal. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Riding three horses on a day like today – and three very different horses, at that – is a major mental game, but Harry took a measured approach to the task at hand.

“I sort of had a plan at the beginning of the day for each horse. I was quite happy going out first, and I would have been quite happy going out second and third,” he says. “I think they all went as planned, and they’re all different horses. I just tried to ride each one with a bit of sympathy, and giving them time. It’s not a sprint round somewhere like here. Superstition was amazing — really game, foot perfect everywhere. Cavalier Crystal was just on fire. And she’s a horse who, 18 months ago, I didn’t think she’d be a five-star horse, and she just was absolutely wonderful.”

Nothing, though, would happen without the village of extraordinary support he has around him, he continues.

“I think it is a real team effort for us. I’m pretty hopeless at a lot of things, but one thing we can do is produce confident, happy, resilient, five-star horses from young horses. It’s not how you produce them in the month leading up to this, it’s 10, 15 years. It’s a process which not everyone buys into, but I personally believe it’s about giving them that long term, slow confidence, and then when you get somewhere like this, they’re absolutely bulletproof.”

And, at the end of the day, it helps that Harry himself finds it, well, just plain fun.

“I just enjoy doing this,” he grins. “If there was no crowd here, if it wasn’t a competition, I’d love to come out here on my own and just have a good crack round a course like that. It’s what I do, it’s what we as a team do. And, you know, to get three bites of the cherry is even more fun. And long may that last — one day, I’ll miss being at these events.”

Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Like Harry on Annaghmore Valoner, British-based Frenchman Gaspard Maksud was initially awarded 15 penalties for a flag with Zaragoza (Cevin Z – Saracen’s Pride, by Saracen Hill xx), but after he dismounted at the finish and cooled his horse off, he went to appeal it – and before he even made it to the ground jury, he got news that they’d decided to remove it. That propelled him straight up the leaderboard thanks to the scant 3.6 time penalties he’d accrued, giving him a temporary lead that ultimately became overnight fourth.

The speedy round perhaps didn’t have the same polish as those of the leaders – there were some decidedly agricultural moments and some gutsy decisions made, but Gaspard took to heart plenty of sage advice from Andrew Nicholson, with whom he used to be based before setting up on his own a few years ago.

“I walked with Andrew, and there were a few things I was discussing with other people, a few routes, and I was never going to go straight through on the Leaf Pit, but everybody jumped it well. So I said, ‘you know what? Just let’s do that’,” says Gaspard. “She just keeps on giving. I put her in a rhythm, and once we jumped over those corners, I told her to move on a little bit more. And to be fair, she kept on galloping strongly into the end. So I’m very pleased with her.”

It’s easy to forget that gritty ‘Zoe’ is just eleven – in 2022, she and Gaspard were sixth in the World Championships, and there’s plenty more to come from the exciting mare.

“Give me another year or two, and I’m sure she could get that time,” says Gaspard. “But basically, it’s our first five-star completion, because we fell off in the water at Pau. So the sure thing I really wanted to make sure we stay on the four legs. She was very good; she tried hard for me and she was still feeling very well at the end.”

Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

The finish line was so often a place of gleeful celebration today, but nobody celebrated quite as ebulliently as Gemma Stevens, who punched the air and screamed like a frisky housewife front row centre at a Bon Jovi concert as she sailed through the timers with her 2021 Bicton five-star champion, Chilli Knight (Chilli Morning – Kings Gem, by Rock King). And rightly so, too: they had a blinder of a round, adding just 2.4 time penalties and putting the frustrations of Badminton this spring, where they’d have won but for a flag, well behind them. That puts them into sixth overnight, well up from first-phase eighteenth.

“I cannot tell you how nervous I was!” she says. “I felt horrendous today, because I just so badly wanted to do well. And yes, I did feel like we had a little bit of a point to prove after Badminton. It’s such a shame I lost a little bit of time but the jumping today, he was just incredible.”

The time, she says, came down to a couple of factors: “You could say I was just a little out of practice. The last few years I haven’t had the rides at that level and coming back to it, it’s scary. But now I’ve got some amazing ones coming through so hopefully I’ll be back. I’m really annoyed that we had a few time [penalties], but he did lose a shoe, so after Capability’s Cutting, I could feel him slipping the whole way down that hill for that big fence at the bottom there. So I was like, ‘Oh God, we’ve got to be careful we don’t fall down.’ And, yeah, just like, round the corners there, just after the water and stuff, I just had to be careful. But what an amazing little horse.”

The son of Badminton winner Chilli Morning is, says Gemma, “just a fantastic little horse. He’s such a trier. What he maybe lacks in scope, he makes far up for in heart and grit and determination. Coming to the Dairy Mounds, because I feel like that’s the last really difficult one, I was like, ‘Come on, little man, come on.’ And when I jumped that, I was like, ‘Come on, now we can get home!’”

Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

After so many tough rides through the Rolex Corners at 16AB, which looked as though they may have been the one less-than-perfect placement choice on Derek’s course, it was a joy to watch US-based Kiwi Monica Spencer and her gritty Thoroughbred Artist (Guillotine – Maxamore, by Satin Blush) sail down the line as though it was a straightforward question. That fluidity and partnership was the keystone of their round, and saw them gain a flurry of speed in the final run of the track to cross the line with 8.4 time penalties and take overnight seventh place, dropping just two places from fifth in their Burghley debut.

“It felt like a lot of big jumps and a lot of galloping, and I didn’t imagine feeling so, like, desperate to go fast,” says Monica. “But he was great. He just answered every question I asked of him — I just probably took a bit too much time in some places. It’s pretty awesome to build a partnership with a horse over many years; I think we’ve been together nine years now, and he’s only 13, but I feel like he gets better every year, so I don’t think he’s reached his peak yet.”

After dismounting and taking stock of her horse, Monica wasn’t quite able to process the magnitude of what had just happened, even with two seventh-place five-star finishes, at Kentucky and Maryland, under her belt already.

“I don’t know if it’s settled in yet, but yeah, I’m rapt. I mean, this morning, the course felt like a huge, huge challenge, and I was almost wondering how I was going to get through all those flags. But now that I’ve done it, I guess, there’s just more self-belief – and I’m just thanking my lucky  stars that I’ve got a horse like him.”

Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

One of the horses on everyone’s radar today – along with Austin O’Connor’s Colorado Blue (Jaguar Mail – Rock Me Baby, by Rock King), who was almost marginally too keen for 4.8 time penalties and overnight twelfth – was Capels Hollow Drift (Shannodale Sarco St. Ghyvan – Lucky Crest, by Lucky Gift xx), with whom Tom Jackson finished second here in 2022. Today, though, they looked the next level up even from that banner performance, and their 5.6 time penalties moves them from 13th to eighth.

“That was one of the best rides I’ve had,” says Tom. “He stayed traveling for me the whole way. This is his fifth five-star, and he just delivers every single time. Whatever you ask of him, he just delivers. Here is definitely tougher to ride, the terrain just adds a whole new level to it but I’m really happy with the way he picked up and finished really strongly.”

At thirteen, ‘Walshy’ has amassed a wealth of experience – along with that Burghley finish, he’s also twice been fifth at Badminton, and sixteenth on his debut there, cementing him as one of the great cross-country athletes of our sport.

“It’s such a privileged position to be with him now, with how experienced he is and how good he’s been for his whole career, that actually some of the time, as crazy as it sounds, through the combinations, you just feel like you’re going through the motions. He’s so with you and on it. And as long as you get him vaguely in the right place, he’s going to do everything to do the right thing.”

With that in mind, “I just really wanted him to come here and enjoy it. He’s had a really tough last year, and even the spring with the wet weather and going into Badminton at the beginning of last year, I said, ‘his ground is not wet ground’. He hates it. And he came out with sort of average time penalties for most horses. We thought, ‘oh, maybe it’s not too bad’. And then hated it again at the Europeans [last year] in terms of the ground. He always wants to do his job and jump, and he’ll never stop trying to do that, but just in terms of traveling at the speed you need to at these things, [he found it harder]. But today, he absolutely loved it.”

Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold HDC. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

It was a day of two halves for the French, whose first two competitors – Gireg le Coz and Luc Chateau – didn’t complete, but whose second two are in the top ten overnight. The last of them to go was Olympian and national stalwart Nicolas Touzaint, who piloted his experienced team ride, but five-star debutant, Absolut Gold HDC (Grafenstolz – Belle Meralaise xx, by Verglas xx) to 8.8 time penalties. That’s enough to see them retain ninth place overnight.

“I was lucky to go on late on the course, so I had time to see how it went. And the thing is, I have the best horse I could ever have,” says 2008 Badminton champion Nicolas, who is also making his own Burghley debut this week. “He’s 14 years old, but he’s never ran [a course] as difficult as this, so I didn’t know what to expect. I just listened to my horse. We form a really super partnership, so I believe in him, and he believes in me. Now that I know him a little better on these long distances, we’re going to grow on that, and I think he can be more and more performant with the time. Now we have a good bond, and now I know he can do it. He knows we can do it together.”

Alex Bragg and Quindiva. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Alex Bragg rounds out the top ten with Badminton podium finisher Quindiva (Quintender – Ruby Roller, by High Roller), who gave us our first clear round inside the time of the four today and climbed 32 places after dressage.

“This is a jumping track, and a jumping horse,” he grins. “That was a brilliant ride, and I was going for the time and I was just about on it every minute. She just kept going, going, going. I nearly stopped to have a beer because I thought it was so easy! She just kept delivering.”

Alex was full of praise for the game, elegant mare, who’s had an exceptional season proving her mettle at this level – and is one of the best showjumpers in the field for tomorrow’s competition.

“We all know that she’s a great jumping mare. She’s been super genuine, and she’s really taken to this sport now,” says Alex. “It’s taken time to build that confidence, but honestly, when you leave that start box, she’s just like a demon. She grows horns, and there is nothing — I mean, nothing — that’s going to stop her. And I’m just the lucky person to be sat on board steering. You have to work with that much scope. She can always jump herself into trouble, so you have to take a breath and not let the adrenaline take over too much. And remember, those drops after the fences are punishing if you come in too big. You can imagine she lands so far out. But she just kept galloping. I just haven’t got enough words to describe how pleased and how thrilled I am with the horse, and how happy I am for all of the team and the owners that stick by you when there are some days which are not so great.”

Quindiva finished fifteenth here last year with 14.4 time penalties, and picked up 7.6 at Badminton this spring en route to third place, and today, Alex felt she’d gained enough experience to really go for the time.

“Last year here, she finished with so much fuel in the tank and then Badminton again, I just felt like I was always protecting her,” he says. “And I felt if I was just brave enough to let her go a little bit at the beginning, then we had a really good chance of finishing inside the time anywhere. I mean, she’s fast, she’s neat. She does spend a lot of time in the air, but we train a lot on the technicality stuff, and you mustn’t underestimate — when you say the mare’s polite, it’s all about discipline and training. And we work so hard with our team on all the technical side, with my show jumping coach, Jeremy Scott –everything is down to being disciplined, straight and accurate, and then the horses can do their job, and it looks neat. So if you stick to those rules, honestly, it makes the job so much easier for them and then so much easier for us. The thing is, as well, this is only her second season at this level. How exciting!”

A bevy of very good cross-country pairs follow closely behind Alex after big climbs today – Alice Casburn and her homebred Topspin (Zento – Capriati xx, by El Conquistador xx) are eleventh, up from 48th, after finishing four seconds over the time, and Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue (Jaguar Mail – Rock Me Baby, by Rock King) climbed from 37th to twelfth with their 4.8 penalties.

Cosby Green and Copper Beach. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

In sixteenth place overnight is the best-placed of the four US combinations, Cosby Green and the eighteen-year-old former Buck Davidson ride Copper Beach (Radolin – Cloverballen), who looked a picture on course to add 12.8 time penalties and climb ten places.

“It’s such a relief,” says Cosby, who’s in her second season based in the UK with Tim and Jonelle Price, and has previously completed Pau and Badminton before her Burghley debut this week. “You hope to finish through the flags but you never really know, so to be safe and especially clear, I can’t have wanted anything else. I’m very emotional. I just wanted to know my plan — I know I’ve walked it so many times and I knew it, so I actually had a lot of calm over me. It was nice to just get out there, and he was beyond my expectations amazing. [It rode] exactly to plan, which I was really surprised. There was no surprises out there, and I knew the plan inside and out, and we were able to execute it.”

‘Sean’, in his customary fashion, bowled along with his ginger tail windmilling around – a trademark of the sweet, stalwart competitor.

“The tail got us all the way home over those jumps, I’m pretty sure!” laughs Cosby.  “He’s got a twinkle in his eyes still, and he’s such a good old man. I’m really impressed with him.”

At eighteen, Sean is the oldest horse in the field – but Cosby, with help from her mentors, who’ve each had horses still competing at five-star at nineteen, has adjusted how she works with him to keep him feeling in his prime.

“I’ve learned that less is more, and that kind of trusting that the horse knows what he’s doing with his eyes closed,” she says. “And just being able to have enough confidence in myself to trust that he is trained, he knows his job, and it’s all about maintaining and improving in slight little ways, and body fitness and physio and all that kind of stuff.”

Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

One of the few riders to express excitement about riding Derek’s beefy course was Jennie Brannigan, but as she sagely pointed out, “you’d be excited, too, if you were sitting on a horse like this!” And true to form, her out-and-out cross-country machine FE Lifestyle (Leo von Faelz – Berina A, by Brandenburger), who is owned by Jennie’s longtime supporters Tim and Nina Gardner, attacked every inch of the course, leaving just some time on the table to take home 15.2 time penalties and climb from 40th to 19th.

“I was told to lick a stamp and send it, and that’s what I did,” grins Jennie, who finished twelfth with the gelding here last year after a tie-up scare the Monday before the competition. “He’s a beautiful horse, and it was really nice to come back with him in 100% health, because I was like, ‘Oh, that was a lot harder last year’ when he wasn’t quite right. So that was really wonderful. You could see why I was like, ‘Oh, I’m excited to ride him tomorrow’ because he’s just a brilliant cross country horse. I  mean, he’s definitely the best one I’ve ever had.”

Andrew McConnon and Wakita 54. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Andrew McConnon made the trip over for his Burghley debut knowing that the first phase would be something to just quietly work his way through with Wakita 54 (Plot Blue – Werusa, by Padinus), because Saturday, he was sure, would be the day she’d shine. And shine she did: though he took some places steadier with the inexperienced eleven-year-old, they finished with a respectable 19.6 time penalties to move up from 57th to 29th.

“I’m very excited, and very happy with my mare,” says Andrew, who opted to take two long options – one at the Leaf Pit, where several riders made the same call. “I was 50/50 yesterday. Before riding, I was going to go direct. She was beautifully patient off the bank, which she can be a little gung-ho. So actually, I decided to go long there, and then the double of corners. I know that’s been the tricky fence, and I had a great shot in. Really nice jump. Second stride, she just pecked a little bit, and I knew that’s what was putting people on the second sjump. So I rerouted to the long option at B, and then she flew around the rest of the way. A bit slow and happy!”

“You never know on cross country,” he continues. “I mean, there’s always going to be things that don’t go to plan. I’m really proud of the decisions I made in the moment off of the Leaf Pit and then in between the two corners. I want to be competitive deep down, but I really love and trust my mare, and I knew that I was going to put her in a bad position to that second corner. So I’m thrilled that I went long. I’d of course like to go quicker, because I know she can, but I’m really happy. I’ve had her since a five year old, and I’ve been the only one to compete her. So I’ve produced her. I’m the only one that has to answer to time penalties, so I was happy to go a little slow.”

Mia Farley and Phelps. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

The time is always a tough catch at Burghley, but one pair with a great chance of catching it were Mia Farley and her full Thoroughbred Phelps (Tiznow – Boom Town Gal, by Cactus Ridge), who’ve gone inside the time at both their previous five-star starts in the US. They began their trip around the track looking absolutely on the money to do so again – despite a couple of serious long ones at fences two and three – but like so many of their fellow competitors, they had a skim-by at the second of the Rolex Corners, which allowed absolutely no margin for error. Theirs wasn’t, arguably, a real error, even: Mia opted to try a tighter inside line and a four-stride approach, and in the final stride, the line simply wasn’t there. With that behind them, she slowed the pace and let Phelps cruise home, taking 23.6 time penalties with their 20 jumping penalties but ultimately climbing two places to 34th.

“I didn’t have the best shot in and I really should have gone the long route,” muses Mia. “ButI thought it was fun after like minute four when I had a little more brakes! He’s very enthusiastic out there. He wants to do it, he loves what he does. I think we just need to control the love for the sport a little bit next time! I think I learned a lot about the track here, and him too, this was really just a fitness run for him so I’m excited to come back and be better. The terrain’s crazy. It was the busiest beginning of the course I’ve ever had, but the terrain is the biggest thing.”

Our fourth US pair, Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M, unfortunately didn’t complete the course after an enormously frustrating late mistake at the Dairy Mound, where ‘Chito’ left a leg and popped Hannah Sue straight out the side door. There was much to like about their earlier efforts, though, and we hope to see them back on this side of the pond soon.

Tomorrow sees us take 43 horses and riders into the final horse inspection at 9.00 a.m. BST/4.00 a.m. EST and then, hopefully, onward to the showjumping. That’s down from 65 starters, giving us a 66.2% completion rate with 32 clears, for a 49.2% clear rate.

We’ve seen horses finishing in brilliant form all day long, and the ground conditions here are among the best we’ve seen at any event, so we have high hopes for tomorrow morning – and we’ll be back bright and early to bring you all the news and updates from the inspection, and then from showjumping, which begins with the first group at 10.30 a.m. (5.30 a.m. EST), and follows on with the top twenty from 14.15 (9.15 a.m. EST). Until then: Go Eventing!

Our coverage of Burghley is brought to you by our incredible supporters, Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional products to keep your horse feeling their best at all times. They’ll even get on the phone with you to help you formulate a solid supplementation plan for your horse’s individual needs! We’d really appreciate your support of KPP, as they’re champions for our sport and beyond and are wonderful people to boot. Check them out here.

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

Ears Pricked and Eyes On – Live Blog of All the Action from Cross Country Day at Defender Burghley

By on Sep 7, 2024 5:46 am -

The iconic Cottesmore Leap AKA the Hard Pass. Photo via CrossCountryApp.

Historic venue – check. Saturday – check. Formidable field of 5* combinations raring to go – check. All this can only mean one thing: it’s cross country day at Defender Burghley. Bring. It. On.

This year, as ever, we’re being treated to the typical test of bravery, scope, stamina, precision and control we’ve come to expect from Burghley, and Derek Di Grazia’s cross country course leaves no terrain or undulation unturned. Riders are going to need to be on their A game as they set out of the start box today, that’s for sure. Derek says the easy route is the straight route, but that’s easy to say. The whole shebang is a hard pass from me, although I’d be happy with a gallop ‘round the track taking my own version of a black flag alternative and avoiding every single fence, but that’s why I’m safely settled on my sofa in front of the TV, clattering away on my keyboard whilst the superstars of our sport are ponied up and waiting in the wings to bring us what’s sure to be a thrilling day of action out on the Burghley estate.

It’s an 11am start / 12 noon CET / 6am ET today with Britain’s Harry Meade kicking things off with the first of his three rides, Superstition.

🇺🇲 If you’re cheering for the US, these are the times you need to know:

📍 Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle – 7:31am ET.

📍 Mia Farley and Phelps – 8:12am ET.

📍Cosby Green and Copper Beach – 8:30am ET.

📍Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M – 9:10am ET.

📍Andrew McConnon and Wakita 54 – 10:15am ET.

I could go through the whole field and pick out combinations of note but basically it’s all of them so here’s the full list of ride times for your perusal.

If you just can’t get enough info about this year’s competitors, then you’re in need of EN’s epic Form Guide, which you’ll find right here.

I’ll be bringing you live updates of all the brouhaha that Burghley brings throughout the day, but if you want to watch along, the only way to view all of the competition live and on demand is via a subscription to Burghley TV.

But first, a quick catch-up with what went down in the dressage:

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]

Here’s a look at how things stand in terms of the leaderboard as we head into cross country:

1️⃣ Heading up the chasing pack and in the lead overnight is Britain’s Ros Canter with Izilot DHI on a score of 19.9.
2️⃣ 2.1 points behind herself is Ros Canter with her second ride Lordships Graffalo on 22.
3️⃣ And 0.3 behind Ros, rounding out the top three as things stand, is Kiwi eventer extraordinaire Tim Price with Vitali on 22.3.

Click here for the full scoreboard.

But that’s all relative as the most quality field in recent history head out onto the biggest Burghley track we’ve seen for a very long time.

While you’re eagerly awaiting the first countdown of the day, check out what the runners and riders will be facing as they thunder along the track via the interactive course preview map, and if you want to know the riders’ thoughts on this year’s cross country offering, we’ve wrangled them together and given them to you here.

And when you’re done with all that, feast your eyes on all of EN’s Burghley content and mosey on along to our IG account for even more @goeventing.

Before we get down to the nitty gritty of things, a pop quiz. What’s the first rule of live updates? Refresh, refresh, refresh if you want to keep up with live updates.

Let’s do this thang ENers, and 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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11:58am

Update:

Harry was right and the flag penalties he was given with Annaghmore Valoner have now been removed, which puts him in 3rd. All three of his horses are in the top 15.

There are also two US riders in the top 20: Cosby Green and Copper Beach are in 16th and Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle are in 19th.

Here’s a look at the top 14:

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11:05am

And so cross country day draws to a close on the Burghley estate, and what a day it’s been. Action, excitement, riding masterclasses and a whole lotta super talented horses doing what they do best. Oh Burghley, you did not disappoint.

Here’s a quick look at how today’s action has impacted the leaderboard:

1️⃣ In the lead overnight is Britain’s Ros Canter with Lordships Graffalo on a score of 22.
2️⃣ 3.5 points behind is New Zealand’s – Tim Price with Vitali on 25.5.
3️⃣ And 4.9 behind them, rounding out the top three as things stand is France’s Gaspard Maksud with Zaragoza on 30.4.

Click here for the full scoreboard.

There are a couple of flag questions outstanding which we’ll bring you up-to-date on in our round-up report – Tilly’s fingers are frantically clattering across her keyboard as we speak – eyes on EN.

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow… the Burghley 2024 winner will be crowned. The morning session of show jumping will start at 10:30am local time / 11:30am CET / 5:30am ET before we move onto the top-20 at 2:15pm / 3:15pm CET / 9:15am ET.

I’ll be back with live updates for the finale – don’t miss it.

If you need more, like, right now, click here for all the Burghley content you can handle.

What a day. What a sport. 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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11am

Oh the drama continues – Harry’s been given a 15 at fence 28 – the fish in the water at the Lion Bridge. Hmmm, it’s not over ’til it’s over. Harry says in his interview that he thinks it’ll be taken off. Time will tell.

Tim is at the Boodles Raindance at 26 and heading for home. There’s a shout of ‘Go on Tim’ as he gallops under the Lion Bridge. He’s given this horse a superb ride and Vitali is lapping up this course. He drives to the last and is over and through the flags. How close is he? 3.2 time to add and into 2nd place. What a ride. What a day!

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10:57am

Harry’s continuing to deliver a brilliant round with his lovely mare. What an exciting talent she is. They catch the flag on the fish in the water at the Lion Bridge at 28 but all looks well. He kicks on for home. He’s got the luxury of time to balance for the Finale and they come through the finish flags. CLEAR INSIDE THE TIME!!! TWO CLEARS INSIDE THE TIME FOR HARRY!!! Wow!

Tim is also flying round the course with Vitali as they’re left as the only combination out on course.

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10:53am

🇳🇿 LAST HORSE ON COURSE: Tim Price and Vitali

Dressage Score: 22.3
Place: 3rd

Tim also takes Tom McEwen’s route at the Leaf Pit and makes nothing of it. Tim holds for the stride into the water at the Trout Hatchery which gives him a great balance for the next element and they go through the combination really smoothly. Another riding masterclass for us, what a lucky lot we’ve been today.

Harry’s really going for it, crouched low and flying around this track with his young mare answering every single question quite brilliantly. He’s clear through to the Raindance at 26.

Ros is balanced as ever through the Boodles Raindance at 26. They’re flat out coming to the Finale but Ros sets up and has a second to spare. CLEAR INSIDE THE TIME FOR ROS CANTER AND LORDSHIPS GRAFFALO AND INTO THE LEAD!!!

We’re hearing that Gaspard and Zaragoza have had their 15 penalties removed.

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10:50am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Harry Meade and Annaghmore Valoner

Dressage Score: 27.8
Place: 11th

Harry is clean and clear through the Leaf Pit and kicking on to give this lovely young mare a good ride round her first 5*. She jumps bravely into the Trout Hatchery at 10 and there’s another huge leap over the roll top into the water at the b element. Goodness me, they’re absolutely flying.

Ros continues her riding lesson for us, she’s bang on the time and really showing how a smooth round is how you stay on your minute markers. She’s the fastest of the day at the Dairy Mound and looks to be having the most foot perfect ride you could ever ask for. Beautiful.

Pippa is over the Finale and through the finish flags with her experienced campaigner. What a treat to see this legend of the sport in action. She’s carrying that 15 and adds 19.6 time.

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10:45am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo

Dressage Score: 22
Place: 2nd

Ros is up at the Leaf Pit. ‘Walter’ drops sweetly down and stays totally in balance as he easily makes his way through there. What a pro. Also Ros, but you’ve gotta love Walter. They’re foot perfect through Defender Valley at 8 – very calm and clear and collected, but of course deceptively quick. Ros comes through the Trout Hatchery in beautiful balance and absolutely shows all of us how that should be ridden. A total masterclass, of course.

Oop, Pippa’s another one to take the flag at the Trout Hatchery – 11a. Majas Hope clearly drifted there and they’re given 15 penalties. Pippa’s throwing everything at is as she clears the double of gates at 18. Onto the Pardubice and up Winners’ Avenue. Pippa’s brave through the Dairy Mound and kicking for home.

Meanwhile, Matt and Askari are over the Finale and through the finish. ‘Muffin’ looks to have really enjoyed his afternoon round Burghley and the pair have got big smiles on their faces.

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10:40am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Pippa Funnell and Majas Hope

Dressage Score: 29.6
Place: 17th

Majas Hope drifts down the hedgeline at Defender Valley but Pippa holds him straight and they go clear through that first real big question on course. Pippa aims for the straight route through the Leaf Pit but it doesn’t quite happen and she has to use all of her experience to wiggle her way through. They’re clear though.

Gaspard is still flying as he comes over the Finale and through the finish. He’s punching the air and absolutely delighted with his thrilling round. He is carrying those 15 penalties for the flag and has 3.6 time penalties.

Matt and Askari have picked up another 20 at 15b – up at Joules at the Maltings. We didn’t see it on screen though so I’m not sure what happened there. They’re now clear to the Cottesmore Leap.

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10:35am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Matthew Heath and Askari

Dressage Score: 31.9
Place: 27th

Matt and Askari are having a very sweet round so far. They’re very nice through Defender Valley for the second time. But then, oh dear. Askari doesn’t lock onto the b element on the way out and they drive by. That’s a shame.

Woah! Gaspard continues to keep us all on the edge of our seats as he makes a real meal of the b element at 16 – those massive corners. Boy, he was lucky there, but what a horse this is. She is ferocious. No surprise that he’s on track to be the fastest of the day.

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10:32am

🇫🇷 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza II

Dressage Score: 26.8
Place: 10th

Gaspard is living life on the knife edge as he positively flies through Defender Valley at 5. Goodness me. That was very fast, very brave, and kinda risky. This mare is super talented though and takes care of things. He opts for the Tom McEwen route through the Leaf Pit and wastes not a scrap of a second. He continues to ride forward through the Trout Hatchery, taking the flag at 11a which comes up as being given as a penalty.

It looks like Susie has been given a flag penalty at 11a – that’s on the live scoreboard at the minute. Susie’s looking in good time as she comes to the Dairy Mound at 22 and 23 but oh no! The horse just wasn’t looking at the c element and they drive on by. How frustrating. She comes back round but there’s another refusal at 24 and she puts her hand up.

Ryuzo has come through the finish, clear with 15.2 time penalty and into 13th place. Good for them!

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10:28am

🇮🇪 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Susie Berry and Wellfields Lincoln

Dressage Score: 31.5
Place: 25th

They lose a little balance through Defender Valley at 5 but Susie sits up and supports her young horse. They drop cautiously down into the water at the Trout Hatchery but that helps Susie to pick up the line. They drift slightly and take the flag but look to be OK

Andrew’s brave through the Dairy Mound at 23 and heads towards home. They come over the Finale and add 19.6 time penalties. What a great experience to finish Burghley cross country. Great work.

Ryuzo goes through the Maltings at 15 very quickly and as well as any. What a ride he’s giving this horse. He balances for the double of gates at 18 and then it’s over the Pardubice and up Winners’ Avenue.

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10:25am

🇯🇵 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Ryuzo Kitajima and Feroza Nieuwmoed

Dressage Score: 33
Place: 32nd

They’re hesitant off the drop at the Leaf Pit but Ryuzo gives his horse confidence and they head on down and over the arrowheads. They continue on clear to the Trout Hatchery. They pop through there and make the two strides very easily between the final two elements. Off they go!

Andrew continues to have a great ride and is clear up to the Rolex Corners at 16. He jumps in but then decides to take the longer route rather than risking that tricky striding to the b element.

Nicolas is close to home as he has a heartstopping jump into the water over the wave at the c element of the Boodles Raindance at 26. This is a very brave ride. He uses all the encouragement of his voice as he takes the fish in the water at the Lion Bridge at 28. He’s absolutely delighted as he clears the last and goes into 5th. What a round that was, everything cross country should be.

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10:18am

🇺🇲 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Andrew McConnon and Wakita 54

Dressage Score: 40.4
Place: 57th

Wakita gets a bit of a sticky jump over the first element at the Trout Hatchery at 10 but makes up for it with his knees up to his chin over the next roll top. Wakita’s looking very bold and Andrew’s doing a great job of settling him as they get their Burghley cross country underway.

Gemma continues to ride bravely as she makes her way through the Boodles Raindance at 26. She’s on track to be the fastest of the day. She steadies to jump the fish in the water at the Lion Bridge at 28 and can smell home. She punches the air as she crosses the line, just 2.4 time penalties and a fabulous round. She’s delighted as so she should be. Into second for them.

Nicolas makes a very tight turn to the B element at the Maltings at 15 and angles the c element. He’s really giving this horse the ride of his life. Wowza.

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10:12am

🇫🇷 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold HDZ

Dressage Score: 26.1
Place: 9th

Nicolas taps the rail at Defender Valley but it stays. The horse looks down into the ditch but Nicolas pushes on and they’re clear through there. They continue on clear to the Trout Hatchery and have a massive jump in. They go through there bravely and cleanly.

Wills is up at the Dairy Mound. They get close to the log but they clear that tricky combination and continue on their way. They come up to the Defender Finale and secure a first 5* completion for A Class Cooley. It’s been a great round for them.

Gemma’s on her minute markers as she comes to the Rolex Corners at 16. Chilli Knight does a great job to get his legs out of the way at the b element and they waste not a scrap of time there. Gemma’s brave through the triple bars at Keeper at 21. She’s really giving this horse a great ride and their partnership is so very clear as they boldly attack this course. She shouts ‘Come on’ as she heads towards home.

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10:07am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight

Dressage Score: 29.7
Place: 18th

Gemma’s quickly Defender Valley at 5 and is crouched low and going for it. They’re clear up to the Trout Hatchery and Gemma does a very good job of balancing him down the hill which results in lovely balance as they land. She keeps him on his line and really shows us just how to ride through there.

Meanwhile, Monica’s got a chance of being close to the time. They absolutely fly the penultimate fence – the official charity My Name’5 Doddie fence – and then the clock turns red. Just a few strides to the line, over the last and they finish with just 8.4 penalties and go into second place!

Wills takes the five strides between the two big corners at 16 after landing a little short over the a element. It comes up for them though and they gallop on.

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10:03am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Wills Oakden and A Class Cooley

Dressage Score: 30.6
Place: 19th

Wills leaps off the Leaf pit on the left-handed side and chooses the slower route through there. They’re in a bit of an awkward position for the final element but A Class Cooley makes it happen.

Rose and ‘Jack’ are slightly sticky at the Cottesmore Leap at 20, that was a heart-in-the-mouth moment. They tap at the top rails of the triple bars through the Keepers but they’re through and clear.

Monica and Artist jump the wide part of the corner at the b element at 16 but Artist is really carrying her forward and their relationship is paying off for them in buckets. She looks to be smiling all the way round and Artist is ears pricked and hunting out every flag. They jump conservatively through the Boodles Raindance at 26 but Jack is in a good rhythm and still looks to be enjoying his jumping. Rose is really riding nicely. He doesn’t get very high over the fish in the water at the Lion Bridge, but they’re nearly home now.

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9:58am

🇳🇿 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Monica Spencer and Artist

Dressage Score: 24.4
Place: 5th=

Artist is brilliant through the Leaf Pit. Monica slightly loses her balance coming into the final element but Artist is locked onto the flags and helps mom out.

Jesse continues to give us a riding lesson as he puts Cooley Lafitte on the exact lines and picks out the perfect spots to make the horse’s job as easy as possible. He chooses to take the slightly alternative route at Capability’s Cutting at 24, the carved hares. He’s looking to bring this horse home clear and with a whole bunch of great experience under his cinch. He comes home and looks up to the heavens as he crosses the line. An emotional finish. The whole eventing community was right with him all the way round.

Rose is also riding brilliantly and having a great round. She’s clear up to Joules at the Maltings.

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9:54am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Rose Nesbitt and EG Michealangelo

Dressage Score: 30.9
Place: 21st

Rose is easily through the straight route in the Main Arena at 4 and she gallops towards Defender Valley for the first time. She balances before the triple bar and they do a great job through there. Easy.

Jesse doesn’t look like he’s got his foot fully on the gas but this horse has a mammoth stride and they’re in a great galloping rhythm. They make light work of Joules at the Maltings. The horse twists slightly over the b element at the double of corners at 16ab as Jesse tries to hold for the stride. He’s sat in perfect balance though and there’s no doubt they’re flying through.

Just a note, apologies but I think I’ve been seeing the straight route at the Leaf Pit when in fact it hasn’t been. All those arrowheads look enormous to me and it’s not always easy to see everything in the moment.

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9:50am

🇳🇿 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Jesse Campbell and Cooley Lafitte

Dressage Score: 41.1
Place: 61st

Cheg back after Sally Spickard kindly hopped in while I took a well-needed bathroom break!

Jesse sees a perfect line through Defender Valley at 5 and goes through there in perfect balance. There’s more excellent riding on show from Jesse as he puts Cooley Lafitte in the perfect spot through the Trout Hatchery at 10 and 11.

Meanwhile, Nadja’s in sight of home as she splashes through the water at 26 – the Boodles Raindance.

It’s been a wet end to Padraig’s competition, sadly. They had a similar problem to Gireg earlier, a bit too bold over the roll top into the water at 10b and he flies over Lady Ophelia’s ears and has an early bath. It’s come up as a horse fall but really, the horse just stumbled a little and both are on their feet and walking home, albeit a bit wet.

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🇮🇪 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Padraig McCarthy and Lady Ophelia

Dressage Score: 33.9
Place: 37th

Global Fision M really uses his footwork and scope to clear the triple-bar at the Maltings, what an athlete. She really isn’t going to be too far off the optimum time, all things considered, as she heads through the Boodles Raindance and the Defender Lion Bridge.

Meanwhile, Padraig was very quick to get back in balance after jumping down the Leaf Pit and makes his way through clear.

Lauren picks up around 18 time penalties and no jumping faults as she crosses the finish. What a round from this pair!

Padraig makes the second trip through the Valley look absolutely effortless.

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🇨🇭 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Nadja Minder and Toblerone

Dressage Score: 31
Place: 22nd

Nadja does a great job at Discovery Valley to work on balance and getting her line correctly, resulting in a great effort from Toblerone. Now I want chocolate.

Lauren Innes also has a great ride through the s-turn at the Maltings. And now a big cheer after clearing the second corner at 16, well-deserved as I’d also be relieved to get that one done!

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🇳🇿 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Lauren Innes and Global Fision M

Dressage Score: 42.2
Place: 63rd

Here we go now with Lauren Innes and Global Fision M, who will have the course to themselves for a short bit.

Lauren has a great trip through the straight route at the Leaf Pit and wow was so honest at 8 after a HUGE jump over the A that pitched Lauren slightly off balance. What a horse.

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9:28am

🇱🇹 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Aistis Vitkauskas and Commander VG

Dressage Score: 40.8
Place: 59th

Aistis Vitkauskas will now be the sole rider on course after the falls of Oliver and Jonelle. Aistis has routed here after unfortunately losing his qualification for the Olympics due to a Dangerous Riding elimination at Luhmühlen earlier this year, and will be out with a bit of a chip on his shoulder to make up for missing out on Paris. He’s run into some early trouble and has now retired on course at the Defender Discovery Valley. Not the day he will have wanted today.

This leaves the course vacant now as we await the next pair, Lauren Innes and Global Fision M.

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9:25am

🇳🇿 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Jonelle Price and Grappa Nera

Dressage Score: 37.6
Place: 51st

Oliver wheels his way through the Maltings, taking the left flag in the process.

And oh no! Oliver tried to make the distance to the second and very influential corner (16) after getting off his line and taking the left flag at the A. What a brave girl, Rosie, to try to make the second happen but unfortunately it’s just not possible and Oliver gets chucked off as she glances off the B and takes down the rail. They both look fine.

Jonelle Price has now also come off at the first arrowhead at the Leaf Pit, after Grappa Nera just dragged her front end and over-rotated slightly, pitching Jonelle off to the left. They’re both no worse for the wear. What a shame!

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9:23am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent

Dressage Score: 24.4
Place: 5th=

They look super confident at the start of the course and Oliver sure has his game face on. They’re clear up to the Trout Hatchery and very smooth through there. Oliver’s arms are going but Rosie doesn’t even take a glance outside the flags. Oliver’s in it to win it.

Oh no! Hannah and Chito have parted company. Chito leaves a leg at the log at the Dairy Mound and Hannah has no chance, she’s shot out of the side door. What a sad end to their competition but they’re both on their feet and look to be absolutely fine.

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9:18am

🇫🇷 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Gireg Le Coz and Aisprit De La Loge

Dressage Score: 25.3
Place: 7th

This pair look really impressive as they sail over the combination in the Main Arena at 4. Oh boy! The next time we see him he’s getting wet. The horse catches a leg going into the Trout Hatchery at 10a and the pair of them come down in the water. The horse is straight up and shaking the water out of his ears. Gireg’s quickly on his feet also and we see them walking off course.

‘Chito’ looks a little tired as he comes through the double of gates at 19, but there’s a bit of space for a breather up Winners’ Avenue coming up next for him.

Meanwhile Humble Glory is traveling beautifully, he looks so happy and comfortable and well within himself as he nears home. They have a great shot through the Boodles Raindance at 26. Way to put an early disappointment behind you and kick on to get the job done. The horse is still full of running as he comes to the finale and what a round it’s been. 8.4 time for them. What a pair for the future of the sport. Awesome.

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9:14am

🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M

Dressage Score: 30.7
Place: 20th

We haven’t seen a lot of Hannah, sadly, but I can tell you that she’s clear through the Pedigree Rails at 9 and is heading to the Trout Hatchery.

Sophia and Humble Glory have put that early problem behind them and the horse really shows his scope over the massive corners at 16ab. They get the perfect stride through the double of gates at 18 and seem to be having a ball out there.

Emma and Icarus are galloping on and really look to be enjoying their round. The horse’s ears and pricked and he’s still jumping boldly and bravely as he comes towards the end of his round. They opt for the fish in the water at the Lion Bridge at 28 and are almost home.

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9:10am

🇦🇺 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Sophia Hill and Humble Glory

Dressage Score: 36.9
Place: 50th

Humble Glory is fighting for his head as he comes down to the rails at Defender Valley at fence 5. He comes down on the fence and the frangible device is activated. What a shame for this pair at the start of their round. They come back round though and continue on with 11 penalties on her card.

There’s trouble for Emma and Icarus at Joules at the Maltings. They have a run out at 15a and Emma loses her stirrup. It takes her a minute to get sorted and come back round but they continue on their way.

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9:05am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Emma Thomas and Icarus X

Dressage Score: 39.1
Place: 54th

Icarus is very keen at the start of the course and they run into trouble at the Trout Hatchery. The balance just isn’t there to make the b element of 11 and they pick up a 20. They come back round and carry on.

Oh goodness, that’s a surprise. Caroline and ‘Cav’ run out to the side of the first of the Rolex Corners and Caroline quickly puts up her hand. What a shame for them, but best to save the horse for another day.

Alice and Topspin are through the finish and have picked up just 1.6 time penalties. What a round. What a very cool achievement for this young rider who’s really making her mark at the level.

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8:59am

🇳🇿 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier

Dressage Score: 25.4
Place: 8th

Caroline’ll be here full of confidence after her Badminton win in the spring, and she’s riding like a 5* winner. They’re quick into the Trout Hatchery and Caroline really shows us how that combination should be ridden. She drops into the water in a beautiful balance and puts ‘Cav’ in the perfect spot all the way through. Lovely.

Alice is having a great ride with her second generation homebred. They have a great line through the double of corners at 16 and make the enormous fences look small. Alice uses her voice to slow Topspin up for the double of gates at 18 and then crouches low and shoots forward for the Pardubice before galloping up Winners’ Avenue. Topspin leaps into the water at 26 – the Boodles Raindance – and they continue to storm their way along the track. They’re good on the time.

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8:57am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Alice Casburn and Topspin

Dressage Score: 36.6
Place: 48th

Topspin looks very strong at the start of the course, but this pair really know each other so well and Alice will have everything in hand. They’re clear through to triple bar at 13.

Tom hails a cab over the wave into the water at the Boodles Raindance at 26. They’re having a great round. They fly through the rest of the course and complete with 10.4 time. They looked quicker than that, to be honest.

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8:53am

🇮🇪 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Sarah Ennis and Grantstown Jackson

Dressage Score: 34.5
Place: 39th

Sarah chooses the straight route at the Leaf Pit and Grantstown Jackson is characteristically quick. There’s a miscommunication at Defender Valley at 8ab and they miss their stride at the corner alongside the ditch, almost going to jump the trees at the widest part of the fence. Sarah comes back round and continues on with that 20 on her card. She loses her steering through the Trout Hatchery and has to try and pick her way through. They pick up a 20 at 10b. It’s not their day, they have a drive by at 11a and Sarah puts up her hand.

Tom wastes not a smidge of a second through Joules at the Maltings at 14 and 15. They’re being bold and brave at every fence, although flirting with the flags somewhat in places. Cooliser comes back nicely for the double of gates and then Tom sees a stride at the Pardubice and they have an absolute flier. Up Winners’ Avenue for them.

Meanwhile Andy and Harthill Phantom have hacked round and completed with 20 on his card and plenty of time. An educational round for them.

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8:48am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Tom McEwen and CHF Cooliser

Dressage Score: 31.2
Place: 23rd

Cooliser flies out of the start box, very keen to get on her job. Woah there girl! He takes a much lower line into Defender Valley and sets up that combination at 5abc perfectly.

om’s caught us out and has come up the other side of the Leaf Pit, but he’s gone the straight route and appears to have saved himself a few seconds. Full marks for his homework and a big fat A for creative course walking.

Will has been pulled up before the Dairy Mound. He’s got off and is walking his horse home. Everything looks to be fine, but time for them to call it a day.

Andy and Harthill Phantom continue to storm around the track and it culminates in a 20 at 16b, the Rolex Corner. He comes back round and continues on, hopefully a little slower.

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8:45am

🇳🇱 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Andrew Heffernan and Harthill Phantom

Dressage Score: 33.5
Place: 35th

Andrew’s horse is super strong as they set out and they’re fast and furious through Defender Valley at 5abc. Woah! He bounces through there. That was brave!

Cosby’s having a great ride and is almost home. What a round this has been. She clears the Finale beautifully and comes through the finish of her first Burghley. What an achievement and in such fine style.

Will is still going well and is hunting his way over the Pardubice at 19 and up Winners’ Avenue.

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8:43am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy

Dressage Score: 32
Place: 28th

Will’s horse looks a little suspicious at Defender Valley for the first time but Will squeezes and they come through clear. He has a look down the drop at the Leaf pit, but that’s not a bad thing and much better than being too brave and leaping off the top. Will has to work hard at the Trout Hatchery. His horse lands really steep after the drop into the water and Will sits right back. Ballycoog Breaker boy is really honest as they pick their way out of the combination on not much of a stride. They don’t get very high over the final element of Joules at the Maltings at 15c but it’s brush and they’re on such a good stride this time that it’s no trouble at all.

Copper Beach really stretches over the enormous corner at 16b and they make their way through the double of gates at 18 really nicely. She’s really riding brilliantly and having a great spin around the Burghley track. They’re not a million miles off the clock at the Dairy Mound. How exciting. Go Cosby.

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8:37am

🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Cosby Green and Copper Beach

Dressage Score: 31.6
Place: 26th

Cosby gets off to a confident start on her experienced campaigner and she comes quickly into the Trout Hatchery. She pushes through the straight route and Copper Beach leaves a leg at the b element on the way out, but it’s brush and causes no problems at all. They gallop on.

Tom is heading towards the finale, he clears the final fence and he punches the air and pats his horse. What an achievement for this young rider and a 5* debut horse.

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8:32am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Emily King and Valmy Biats

Dressage Score: 24.1
Place: 4th

Emily drops into the Leaf Pit and really looks to have a lot of control as she steers her way through the straight route. She’s straight and very much on it through Defender Valley. She doesn’t look to be in a hurry but with such a strong, powerful horse, who can get very strong, that would be her plan.

Oh! Things go wrong for them at the Trout Hatchery. They get a good shot into the second water but her reins are very long and she doesn’t see a stride to the brush corner at 11a. He stretches for it but there’s no chance of making the b element. She comes back round, jumps it and then decides to call it a day.

Tom meanwhile, is clear through to the Boodles Raindance at 26. This pair are in for a leaderboard climb for sure, they were last coming into today but Tom’s hunting his way round for a clear completion. Nearly there. The horse looks a little tired but Tom is supporting him all the way. Good for them.

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8:26am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Tom Bird and Cowling Hot Gossip

Dressage Score: 46.2
Place: 65th

They get off to a very confident start. Tom’s the youngest competitor in the field and this is a 5* debut for Cowling Hot Gossip. He’s clear through the Pedigree Rails at 9.

Meanwhile, Mia’s taken her foot off the gas after that 20 at 16 and is making her way home for a Burghley completion. She crosses the finish line with 23.6 time. A really unlucky mistake for her and so much expectation after her superb finishes at Maryland and Kentucky, but that’s eventing and they’ll be taking home a lot of valuable experience and will come back out all the stronger for it.

Zara makes a really good turn to the b element at the Rolex Corners at 16 and oh no! They get there on a half stride, Socks twists over the fence and Zara’s pitched out the side door. That’s so unfortunate and unlucky for her. Socks gallops off down the track to finish Burghley for himself.

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8:20am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Zara Tindall and Class Affair

Dressage Score: 36.8
Place: 49th

Zara’s down the drop at the Leaf Pit. She turns her way through the longer route and will be very relieved to have that fence behind her. It’s been such a bogey fence for her in the past. Socks is putting in some massive jumps at the Trout Hatchery and Zara is sitting right back. Boy, she’s got her head down and is really working hard. The crowd appreciate the spectacle and there are huge oos and aahs and a massive applause.

Meanwhile, Phelps hasn’t slowed down any and he’s already at the Trout Hatchery. Blink and you’ll miss this pair. They’re brave at Joules at the Maltings and have a tiny trip on landing and Mia pulls round to the longer route. Smart. All that speed and bravery goes against them at the Rolex Corners though. The line between a and b is very difficult and they don’t quite get there. They pick up a 20 and continue on. What a shame.

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8:16am

🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Mia Farley and Phelps

Dressage Score: 33.7
Place: 36th

Wow, Mia sets out on a brave stride and is saving seconds right from the start. They absolutely fly the first three giving us at home a fair few heart-stopping moments in the first few seconds of her round. So brave and bold. Go Phelps!

She’s super accurate through the Leaf Pit and gives us all a masterclass of superb cross country riding – right on her line, bold and brave, and a partnership working as one.

Meanwhile, Andrew’s clear through the first part of the Trout Hatchery but loses all momentum on the way out of the first part of the water and don’t make it happen at 11a. He wisely decides to pull up.

Lizzie is coming to the end of her round now. She’s taken a few longer routes but she knows her horse and is out to bank a great experience. She’s clear over the fences but has taken her time. What an achievement to finish Burghley on your homebred. Way to go.

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8:12am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Andrew James and Celtic Morning Star

Dressage Score: 40.9
Place: 60th

We have a save of the day at Defender Valley. Andrew loses his balance down the drop towards the ditch. He’s hanging almost upside down over the neck but somehow manages to right himself. They pick up a 20 at the b element but have to cross their tracks to come back it and pick up a second refusal at the same fence, so that’s 60 in total there for them. He seems to take it in good humor, as really, he could have been walking home from there, and carries on.

Ian’s 10 seconds up at the Dairy Mound. Wow, this really is looking to be an impressive round. Such a shame they’re carrying those 11 penalties.

Lizzie takes another long route at the Trout Hatchery, she really does have her own plan and has walked her own course for her horse. She’s now clear up to Winners’ Avenue.

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8:07am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Lizzie Baugh and B Exclusive

Dressage Score: 35.4
Place: 44th

Lizzie and B Exclusive opt not to drop down the bank at the Leaf Pit. She takes the a and b options instead of the drop – so two jumping efforts – and then goes bolding towards the short route for the way out and makes those two enormous arrowheads look very easy.

Ian and Master Point have cleared Joules at the Maltings. They take the flag at the Rolex Corners but are really motoring on. The Pol Roger table at 17 doesn’t slow them down any although they have to steady up for the double of gates at 18 before flying the Pardubice. They look really confident and have clearly put that early whoopsie behind them.

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8:04am

🇮🇪 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Ian Cassells and Master Point

Dressage Score: 32.4
Place: 30th

Ian has an early problem and activates a frangible device at the rains at Defender Valley. The horse doesn’t really focus and the safety device really did its job there. They put it behind them and go clear through the tricky Leaf Pit combination without a second thought.

Meanwhile, Declan has decided to put his hand up. The horse didn’t look up for the big corner at 16 and really didn’t take it on. They scoot to the side and walk home. Good decision and good horsemanship on show.

Max has come through the finish on his exciting young horse. What a round they had and so much valuable experience banked for future big Bs. Just 22 time penalties to add for them. Good work from both horse and rider.

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7:58am

🇮🇪 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Declan Cullen and Seavaghan Ash

Dressage Score: 35.2
Place: 43rd

Declan is clear so far up to the combination at Defender Valley at 8. The spotty pony is hunting for the flags as he makes his way through the Trout Hatchery and Declan’s really giving this homebred a super, confidence-building ride.

Max is having a great round and is clear up to the Cottesmore Leap. The horse looks very comfortable and within himself and to be enjoying his trip. They make the Dairy Mound at 22 and 23 look very easy.

Ooo Tim’s living a little on the edge as he makes a mistake at the Dairy Mound. Viscount Viktor is really brave and scrambles over. They take the flag and there’s a bit of a question there – a missed flag comes up on the live scoreboard, but honestly, they were lucky to make it through there at all. He’s sitting up and carrying on to give this horse the education of completing at Burghley.

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7:53am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Max Warburton and Deerpairc Revelry

Dressage Score: 28.9
Place: 15th

Max really rides well into the combination at Defender Valley. I’ve been so looking forward to seeing this horse go cross country since spotting him at the horse inspection on Wednesday. They really are making light work of this very difficult track.

Harry takes a pull coming into the final fence, but he’s got time to spare and HARRY MEADE AND CAVALIER CRYSTAL ARE CLEAR INSIDE THE TIME!!!

Tim has troubles at the c element of Joules at the Maltings at 15. He activates a frangible device. A little greenness coming out perhaps. There’s more problems at the Rolex Corners for this pair and they muddle the striding slightly between the two corners and pick up a 20 at the b element. They continue on though to bank the Burghley experience.

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7:48am

🇳🇿 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Tim Price and Viscount Viktor

Dressage Score: 29.5
Place: 16th

Tim is making nothing of this track with Viscount Viktor. They’re confident and clear through to the Trout Hatchery at 10.

Francis and Prince have put that wild moment at 16 behind them and are splashing through the water after the Boodles Raindance. They’re pedal to the metal and really look great. They’re almost home now. Prince looks like he could go again as he clears the last and comes through the finish flags. 22.4 time for them but what a round, and what a ride from Francis.

Harry and Cavalier Crystal continue to be smooth and slick and are hunting down the time. They’re clear through to the Lion Bridge at 27. Not far to go now.

Jennie Brannigan is home clear with 15.2 time penalties. What a fabulous round. William Fox-Pitt in the commentary box quite fancies having ‘Foxy’ in his barn. Us too, William.

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7:43am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Harry Meade and Cavalier Crystal

Dressage Score: 31.3
Place: 24th

Harry’s clear through the Leaf Pit and then through the Trout Hatchery.

Prince is still looking strong at the Trout Hatchery but Francis is making it happen. Oooh, there’s a big moment at the Rolex Corners at 16a. The line’s not great and Prince absolutely throws himself over the massive corner. He uses all of his body to twist over the fence, takes out both red and white flags and looks to have actually made it through. Wow. That’s cross country.

Jennie’s going great guns and is making up time as she comes to the final part of the course. She’s on her way home and over the Boodles Raindance at 26. Her elbows are going as they splash through the water. She takes the fish at the Lion Bridge at 28 and they can almost see the finish flags.

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7:40am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Francis Whittington and DHI Purple Rain

Dressage Score: 34.7
Place: 40th=

‘Prince’ is brave off the drop at the Leaf Pit and there looks to be a little control trouble going on, but Francis knows this horse inside out. He goes the long route as he’d planned to do but Prince really does look enthusiastic and Francis has a whole lotta horse on his hands. There’s no better man to manage this guy though.

Meanwhile, Jennie gets a lovely jump at the rails at Joules at the Malthings – 14. It carries her through to the separately numbered but related 15abc. They squirrel through the flags at the a element of the Rolex Corners at 16 and make nothing of the second enormous corner at b. They’re clear through to the Rolex Grand Slam at 24.

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7:35am

🇺🇸 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle

Dressage Score: 34.7
Place: 40th=

Jennie gets a perfect bouncy canter into the combination at 5 – Defender Valley. ‘Foxy’ looks into the ditch but Jennie’s in the perfect balance and position to squeeze on through. They’re textbook through the Trout Hatchery at 10 and 11. Go Jennie!

Nicky is through the first water at the Trout Hatchery at 10 and 11. She’s crouched low and hunting round the track. But things fall apart at the double of massive corners at 16. It just doesn’t happen for them and they have a run out at the a element. Nicky opts to walk home.

Libby has a moment at the Lion Bridge – the fishing lodge before the water at 27. She has to adopt the safety position as Angel takes a flier and they really are scrabbling for a finish, which they so deserve based on this round. She’s ridden brilliantly and Angel has been clever at every fence.

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7:30am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Nicky Hill and MGH Bingo Boy

Dressage Score: 40.7
Place: 58th

They’re another combination to slide down the bank to the ditch at the b element of Defender Valley at 5. It’s a bit heart-stopping but Nicky sits back and they jump through clear. They drop off the Leaf Pit and take on the long route. It’s a huge stretch but Bingo Boy brushes through and they waste no time there.

Libby’s riding with everything she’s got through the combination at Keepers – 21ab. They really look like a confident pair and to be thoroughly enjoying their Burghley.

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7:26am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Libby Seed and Heartbreaker Star Quality

Dressage Score: 36.1
Place: 46th

They pick their way through the combination at 5 – Defender Valley – and ‘Angel’ really shows off some clever footwork. They come back round for the second time to take the fences at 8 and get an absolute flier over the big log. Libby balances down the slope and they get a great shot at the big corner alongside the ditch. Superb. It looks like this horse has walked the course. There’s more enormous leaps at the Trout Hatchery which prompt oos and ahhs from the crowd. Angel’s really enjoying her first Burghley and Libby’s along for the ride.

Austin and Colorado Blue are over the last and through the finish with just 4.8 time penalties. He’s a little disappointed with the time but very pleased with ‘Salty’.

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7:22am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Richard Jones and Alfies Clover

Dressage Score: 36.3
Place: 47th

For the last time, we get the pleasure of seeing Alfies Clover hunting round a 5*. I’m already sniffling. What a horse this is, what an eventing horse, what an absolute ambassador for our sport.

Unfortunately, we’re not going to get to enjoy this guy as things don’t go to plan and they have a really unfortunate 20 at Defender Valley. It really is unlucky and they just don’t quite make the line to the angled brush after the ditch. A real, real shame. Richard puts his hand up. The end of an era. But this doesn’t take anything away from all the great sport this horse has brought us over the years. We love you Alfie!

Meanwhile, ALEX BRAGG AND QUINDIVA ARE HOME CLEAR INSIDE THE TIME!!!

What a round. Foot-perfect, confident, supremely talented mare given a fabulous ride round the world’s toughest track.

Austin and Colorado Blue are clear to fence 26 – the Boodles Raindance water. They can smell the finish flags now.

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7:18am

🇮🇪 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue

Dressage Score: 33.9
Place: 37th

Austin has an early moment at Defender Valley – fence 5. He stumbled slightly on the slope down to the ditch after landing over the rails at a. They have a sticky kind of scramble over the ditch but Austin holds everything together and kicks on. A heart-in-the-mouth moment for them but no harm done. They’re such an experienced combination and will put that right behind them as they continue on the course.

Alex is having a really confident ride round here. They are flying. The fastest time of anyone so far at the Rolex Grand Slam at Capability’s Cutting. A beautiful ride through there.

Oh. Phil heads towards the Cottesmore Leap but Harry’s looking tired and it doesn’t happen. They fall backwards slightly and land in the ditch. It’s down as a horse fall but Harry landed on his feet. They’ll be checked over by the medical/vet team before they walk home.

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7:14am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Alexander Bragg and Quindiva

Dressage Score: 35.1
Place: 42nd

Alex has put his brave pants on and goes straight at the Leaf Pit and makes it look very simple. He continues on clear through to the Trout Hatchery at 10 and 11.

Phil is at the Rolex Corners at 16ab and takes another long route. He’s obviously going for the finish but all these long routes will add up. He waws carrying a 15 flag penalty which we didn’t see on screen but it seems to have been taken away now.

Felix opts for the fish in the water at the Lion Bridge – 28 – on their way home. They cross the finish with just 12 time penalties to add.

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7:08am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Phil Brown and Harry Robinson

Dressage Score: 39.9
Place: 55th

There’s an early problem for Phil at Defender Valley at 5. They have a little slip after the rails and slide down the bank towards the ditch. Harry jumps the ditch big and Phil’s thrown out of the tack. He lands back in but he’s lost his stirrup and it takes a while to get himself sorted out. They navigate through clear though. Phil takes the long route at the Trout Hatchery – it’s a very long way round but a sensible decision given that moment earlier.

Meanwhile, Felix is up at the double of gates at 18. He makes light work of that. He’s having a lovely round so far. He gallops over the Pardubice at 19 and up along Winners’ Avenue. Cartania makes nothing of the Cottesmore Leap and Felix rebalances for the white triple bars combination at Keeper – 21ab. He’s straight through there and wastes not a second of time. There’s a tiny moment at the Dairy Mound when Cartania takes a flier but Felix slips the reins and they continue on.

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7:04am

🇨🇭 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Felix Vogg and Cartania

Dressage Score: 28.8
Place: 14th

We meet Felix at the Leaf Pit. He’s careful off the drop and takes the alternative route. Cartania is galloping along and eating up this track, she’s such a star. They come to Defender Valley for the second time and, like Tom, Felix adds a stride before the b element to give his horse the best shot at the left-handed corner alongside the ditch. Felix is tipped forward as he drops into the water at the Trout Hatchery, but it’s all go for his core and he’s straight back upright and clear through the combinations there – fences 10 and 11.

Tom is beautifully through the Dairy Mound at 22 and 23. He’s on the target time! He pops the Raindance combination at 26 and Tom gives his horse a little squeeze towards home. He’s still bang on the minute markers. The horse is really responding, galloping happily and within himself and jumping brilliantly. What a treat this round has been. He crosses the finish line and goes into the lead with just 5.6 time penalties. Superb.

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6:58am

Early drama for Luc. He comes into Defender Valley at 5 very quickly, the horse looks down into the ditch at the b element and shoots off sideways. Luc’s stirrup is broken. No choice but to walk home.

Meanwhile, Holly’s had a very unfortunate 20 at the Dairy Mound. A shame so close to home. She continues on though and gets home. Holly looks pleased with her horse as so she should. A really unlucky penalty in an otherwise superb round.

Tom absolutely flies the Cottesmore Leap at 20 and navigates the white triple bars combination at Keepers – fence 21.

🇫🇷 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Luc Chateau and Viens Du Mont

Dressage Score: 41.7
Place: 62nd

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6:54am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift

Dressage Score: 28.6
Place: 13th

Capels Hollow Drift is brave off the drop at the Leaf Pit and he takes the alternative, slightly but not much smaller, triple brushes. They’re looking smooth so far. He adds a stride on the turn between the a and b element at Defender Valley at 8ab. A fraction of a second lost but he set his horse up for success and banks a bit of confidence for later in the course. They get a huge jump into the water at the Trout Hatchery and they continue on confidently through the first water.

Holly and Bally Louis look to be gaining confidence as they make their way round. Holly really is riding brilliantly and the relationship this pair has is really coming into play.

Dan is already into time as he jumps the Dairy Mound at 22 and 23. Oh dear, they have a run out at 23b, the angled brush cabin. He comes back round and clears it.

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6:50am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Holly Richardson and Bally Louis

Dressage Score: 35.9
Place: 45th

Holly’s looking very confident at the start of her round. She gets a big jump over the ditch at the b element of Defender Valley at 5 and puts her horse on a beautiful line through there. She’s riding brilliantly. They take on the Leaf Pit and Holly sees the perfect distance. She loses a stirrup over the enormous arrowhead on the way out but she’s soon got everything back together.

Meanwhile, Bella and Highway are clear through the Lion Bridge. They take the fish in the water at 28 and are on their way home. They come over the last and are clear with 25.6 time penalties. Awesome.

Dan’s as the Trout Hatchery. He balances the horse at the top of the hill, giving the horse every chance to jump the fences well. Blackthorn Cruise gets a big pat as they gallop away. Oh, the horse stumbles slightly on landing over the vertical rails at 15b – Joules at the Maltings. That causes a run out at the c element. He comes back round and jumps is and continues on. He gets a great shot through the double of gates at 18ab, clearly that earlier problem hasn’t knocked the horse’s confidence any.

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6:45am

🇳🇿 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Dan Jocelyn and Blackthorn Cruise

Dressage Score: 33.3
Place: 34th

Dan opts for the longer route at the Leaf Pit at 7 and looks to be confident as he gets into the meat of the course. He’s easy through Defender Valley for the second time.

Meanwhile, Bella is clear through 19 – the Pardubice on Winners’ Avenue.

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6:40am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Bella Innes Ker and Highway II

Dressage Score: 38.6
Place: 53rd

It’s Bella’s 30th birthday today – Happy Birthday Emma! What a way to celebrate.

They’re already at the Leaf Pit and drop down well. She opts for the longer route there and looks very comfortable. Those fences are still huge, despite being the alternates.

Oh no, Nicole has had trouble at the Rolex Corners at 16ab. They’re not quite on their line at the first corner and don’t make it through the flags at all, really. She comes back round and makes it through on the longer route but there’s 20 penalties on her card. And oh, there’s more trouble at the double of gates at 18. The horse clips the fence, Nicole flies out of the tack, she tries to hang on but gravity is against her. Her air jacket’s gone off and she steps off the side of the horse. A shame for them but that’s eventing.

Emma and Jeweetwel have made it round! She punches the air as she comes through the finish. 20 penalties and a fair bit of time, but a Burghley finish.

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6:35am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Nicole Mills and Fearless W

Dressage Score: 32.6
Place: 31st

Nicole is on her way at her first 5*. She’s clear through the rails at 9 and is setting up for the Trout Hatchery. They look to be very much on the same page as they navigate through 10ab and 11ab.

Aaron and Friendship are home and clear. What a great experience for them. They’re a bit over the time but the horse has finished looking really good. Burghley experience banked.

Emma has a real moment at the Maltings. The horse leaves a leg and she’s pitched forward. She sits back up but there’s no chance of making the next element and now she needs to work out another route there. There’s a bit of a lack of control going on. It all comes to a head at 16 – the Rolex Corners. She jumps the first but the line’s not there and they go on by the second.

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6:28

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Emma Hyslop-Webb and Jeweetwel

Dressage Score: 37.7
Place: 52nd

Emma’s off and is brave through Defender Valley at 5abc. She’s got the bit between her teeth, that’s for sure. She continues clear through the rails at 9 and makes her way to the Trout Hatchery. It’s a little hairy through there as her reins get a bit long, but they hunt their way through and ride forward.

Meanwhile, Aaron is clear through to 15abc – Joules at the Maltings. He comes back for the gates at 18ab and then looks to very much enjoy the Pardubice at 19. Up Winners’ Avenue for them.

Ooo, Susie has a moment when control eludes her slightly and she heads for the crowd. Excitement for the spectators this morning. They continue on to the Lion Bridge and take on the fish in the water at 28. They can smell the finish flags now. She gallops along and gets close to the last, a heart-in-the-mouth moment but they’re home and clear. What a great experience for this young, talented mare.

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6:25am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Aaron Miller and Friendship VDL

Dressage Score: 33
Place: 32nd =

Aaron gets a confident start and makes nothing of the first combination at 4 in the arena. He continues on clear to Defender Valley at 8ab. He puts a curve in before the corner at b and they’re looking to be enjoying their Burghley so far.

Meanwhile, the riding lesson continues with Susie Berry. She tackles Joules at the Maltings at 14 and 15 in a similar way to the Leaf Pit, almost as separate fences. No troubles for them there. She navigates the new combination at 18ab – the gates in the stable yard – and then flies the Pardubice on Winners’ Avenue.

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6:20am

🇮🇪 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Susie Berry and Irene Leva

Dressage Score: 40.3
Place: 56th

Susie’s quick at the start of the course and is already at Defender Valley at 5abc. They get a huge jump over the angled brush and gallop on. They’re bravely down the drop at the Leaf Pit and Susie gives us a riding lesson over the triple brushes. She rides them almost as separate fences and gets a great shot. Big pats for Irene Leva.

Susie’s tipped forward over the big log at Defender Valley for the second time at 8ab as they jump right out down the slope but she sits up and they’re straight over the massive left-handed corner. Onward.

She’s at the first water now, the Trout Hatchery at 10 and 11. They’re bold through there and there’s more masterful riding from Susie. They’re going great guns so far.

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6:15am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Matthew Heath and Golden Recipe

Dressage Score: 43.7
Place: 64th

Golden Recipe is keen out of the start box and Matt’s got a lot on his hands here, for sure. He hangs on through the combination at 4ab in the arena and comes to Defender Valley for the first time. But all that power goes against them and they have a run out at the c element. They come back round but Golden Recipe is just too keen for the job today. They have another problem at 8ab back at Defender Valley, Matt struggles to hold his horse and he puts his hand up.

Pippa’s up at the Trout Hatchery at 10/11. Wow! Great save Pippa! She’s having a real moment. Maverick flies over the brush on the way out and Pippa flies out of the saddle. She’s had a right bump on the nose. Her stirrup’s got caught over the saddle and she clings on as she tries to right herself and her tack. But Pippa’s a pro and uses all of her decades of experience to get everything back in order and carry on. There’s been time lost there though. Anyone else would have been eating dirt for sure.

And things come to a head at the Rolex Corners at 16ab. She’s pulled up.

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6:10am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Pippa Funnell and MCS Maverick

Dressage Score: 28.3
Place: 12th

Pippa’s on her way with Maverick and look to mean business as they leap out of the start box. They easily clear the combination in the arena at 4. She kicks on at the dreaded Leaf Pit and Maverick takes it on. Superb.

Harry’s right round at the Lion Bridge at 28. He takes the fish in the water and is flying to the finish. He clears the Defender Finale and has given us a great trailblazing round. He’s clear with 10.8 time.

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6:05am

🇬🇧 NEW STARTER OUT ON COURSE: Ros Canter and Izilot DHI

Dressage Score: 19.9
Place: 1st

Our current leaders are out on course.

Isaac’s come out of the start box and seems to have his head in the game as he gallops past the crowds and flies the first three. The Main Arena’s buzzing but Isaac’s got his ears pricked on the flags and they go through the first combination at 4.

But oh no. Things don’t continue in the same way and Isaac’s eye’s taken and he has a drive by at Defender Valley – fence 8ab. Ros comes back round and jumps the alternative but then puts her hand straight up. Not Isaac’s day. A shame but every event is experience in the bank for the future.

Meanwhile, Harry’s having a fabulous run. He’s clear through to the white triple bars at 21ab and looks to be eating up the course. He’s on his way down to the Dairy Mound and isn’t a million miles over the time. They make that combination look easy.

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6am

🇬🇧 FIRST HORSE OUT ON COURSE: Harry Meade and Superstition

Dressage Score: 32.1
Place: 29th

And we’re off! Harry has left the start box and is on his way!

They come into the first combination at fence 4 in the arena and fly straight through. Next up is Defender Valley for the first time. Harry makes that tricky combination look very easy – over the rails, no problem with the angled ditch and then over the angled brush and off along the track.

And now, the Leaf Pit.

Woah, those brushes are huge, but Superstition stretched right over and went straight all the way. They sure did look big, even for this class combination.

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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.

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on Sep 7, 2024 12:01 am -

By time time you read this, it’s likely Burghley cross country day will be underway already, but in any case: WELCOME to the biggest day at “Big, Bad, Burghley!” We can’t wait to see how today shakes out on what is arguably (or, maybe not) the toughest cross country course in the world.

I mean, just look at this. Look at it!

Photo via Sarah Ennis on Facebook.

Safe to say, we’re feeling good about watching, maybe not so good at the prospect of riding. But as Monica Spencer, who unfortunately is not tall enough to plank the iconic Cottesmore Leap as pictured above, said yesterday, “I’m terrified, but I’m sure once I leave the start box, I’ll find some bravery!”

In all seriousness, we’re wishing everyone safe rides today. As we all know, safety is never guaranteed in high-risk sports like these. The biggest priority is getting our horses home safely and confidently — I think most riders will tell you that the rest is nearly icing on the cake, especially when bearing in mind those we have lost and those who are currently recovering from injuries. Let’s always remind ourselves to do right by our horses, and to let this guide our decisions and our mentality as we take on life’s challenges (even if those don’t include a Burghley cross country ride).

U.S. Weekend Events

Five Points H.T. (NC): [Website] [Entries / Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Flora Lea Fall H.T. (NJ): [Website] [Entries / Ride Times] [Volunteer]

CDCTA Fall H.T. (VA): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Major International Events

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

Saturday Links

Check out the data-packed Form Guide put out by Equiratings ahead of today’s cross country and tomorrow’s show jumping at Burghley. Want more back stories on each horse and rider? Study up on our own Form Guide here.

Medal Or Not, Grooms Deserve Recognition Too

Burghley Young Event Horse Winner is Tipped to Go All the Way

U.S. Paralympic Dressage Team Clinches Team Gold at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Nominations Open for US Equestrian’s 2024 Pegasus Award and Lifetime Achievement Award

Reframe the Way You See Distances

Sponsor Corner: World Equestrian Brands

It may be the final days of summer, but it’s still HOT HOT HOT out there in most areas. We’ve been obsessing over the Equilibrium Quick-Chill Sheet, which leverages water-activated conduction technology to effectively dissipate heat from your horse’s body, promoting optimal comfort without the hassle of traditional soaking methods. Easily reactivated with water, it offers a reusable, eco-friendly cooling solution that can be used multiple times, making it ideal for competitive environments, remote locations, or even during travel restrictions like hose pipe bans.

Video Break:

Go back to Burghley 2015 and ride around cross country “between the ears” with William Fox Pitt and Fernhill Pimms:

Liz Halliday Update 9/6: Progress and Optimism

By on Sep 6, 2024 8:19 pm -

Liz Halliday’s team has posted a new update on her progression as she recovers from a head injury sustained in a fall at the AECs last week. Today, the team stated, physical therapists were able to manually sit Liz upright for about 20 minutes. While Liz is not fully awake, she has shown positive progress with an ability to track movement with her eyes and extended periods of eye contact.

“We know this is going to be a day by day to full recovery but from every doctor we have talked with, they are optimistic and her fighting spirit is certainly coming through each and every day,” the update reads.

From this point forward, further updates on Liz will be made public on her website here. We can anticipate the next update to come on Monday.

Please continue to use #KeepFightingLiz and send messages of encouragement to be read to Liz as she continues to wake up.

[More Liz Halliday Updates]

Cruise Around Derek di Grazia’s Defender Burghley Cross Country Course

By on Sep 6, 2024 5:34 pm -

It’s time to take a deep breath and take a gander at what Derek di Grazia has up his sleeve this year for his third year in residence at Defender Burghley’s iconic CCI5* offering.

This year’s track has everyone, including us, buzzing about its dimensions and technicality — but of course, it wouldn’t be Burghley without a fair amount of sleep loss and pants-soiling. One thing about Derek, though, is that his courses are generally received with respect and a clear understanding that he’s set out a track that allows horses to read the questions well.

That doesn’t mean the riders aren’t doing a good bit of hand-wringing, particularly about some very tall, tall, arrowheads set at the bottom of the Holland Cooper Leaf Pit (an iconic fence in its own right), among other questions on course. You can catch up with what they’ve said in our Riders React round-up here.

And if you’re wanting to see the course close up with Derek di Grazia as your guide, don’t forget there’s a full preview video on Burghley TV!

Saturday’s track features an optimum time of 11:14, with 30 fences set across 45 jumping efforts. The general direction of the course is the same as its 2023 predecessor, but all of the combinations have been changed and the single fences have also been relocated to different parts.

“You’re not going to get a site like this anywhere in the world,” Derek di Grazia said of the land here. “The terrain — the undulating terrain — it just makes for being able to set a very unique course here.”

And indeed it’s true. There is a LOT of terrain on this piece of ground, making it a grueling fitness test as well as a mental test with an unrelenting series of questions to answer. It’s a day that will require mental fortitude from horse and rider and quick thinking to put each horse in the best position to succeed.

Photo via CrossCountryApp.

One new combination on course this year is actually situated in the Main Arena for the first time ever. The MARS Equestrian Arena Brushes question comes early at fence 4 as the first combination, featuring a large double brush and an option of two narrow brushes to be jumped directly or on the alternative route. Not much trouble to expect here, but the first bit of the course has earned plenty of buzz for its intensity (really, just the first bit?), so this combination will be key to injecting confidence and rhythm into each pair.

The Holland Cooper Leaf Pit comes at fence 7 on course and features *those* triple arrowheads that have any rider who’s not at least 7 feet tall quaking in their tall boots.

“The riders really have to make sure they keep going, keep the revs up, especially as you head up [the slope to the BC element], you start to see how big the jump is. They need to be able to get across this jump to be able to keep riding forward [to the DE brush],” Derek described. And of course, not least of the challenges here is simply getting down off the Leaf Pit neatly — as Derek put it, “the horses, you don’t know when they come here if they’re just going to step off or if they’re going to leap off,” and there’s not a huge amount of time to get right on the line to the big brush.

That said, many riders have intimated that they’re at least considering going long here, and while Derek’s alternative routes tend to be friendly in the sense that they mostly allow a rider to keep some semblance of rhythm, they actually seem to be *quite* long this year and as a result very time-consuming. And with an 11+ minute optimum, you’re not going to want to be out there having your horse galloping for much longer than that. Safety is key though, so I expect we’ll see plenty of alternatives used.

By the way, Derek refers to this Leaf Pit monstrosity as “a fun fence”, so…there’s that.

Another question that caught my eye is the Defender Dairy Mound, which comes at fences 22 and 23 this year. Late on course, riders will be managing stamina and trying to squeeze every ounce of maneuverability out of their horses, and this question certainly challenges both of these.

Any cross country course is a study in power and skill — a horse cannot simply be powerful and scopey; they must be quick-footed and quick in the mind, as well as willing to listen to direction. This question, which concludes with a relatively unassuming log followed by a steep downhill and a sharp turn to the final element, could catch out a tiring pair that loses the ability to turn quickly, and with the left door open so wide this fence could be a late heartbreaker.

I’ve really barely scratched the surface of this test for tomorrow, so I encourage you to check out the full preview on CrossCountryApp above or here, as well as the video walk-through on Burghley TV.

Ride times for tomorrow are available here. We’ll have Cheg Darlington on live blog duty to accompany you through the whole day, so stay tuned for much more from Burghley, and best of luck to everyone riding. Be safe, be clear, and keep those britches clean! Go Eventing.

Our coverage of Burghley is brought to you by our incredible supporters, Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional products to keep your horse feeling their best at all times. They’ll even get on the phone with you to help you formulate a solid supplementation plan for your horse’s individual needs! We’d really appreciate your support of KPP, as they’re champions for our sport and beyond and are wonderful people to boot. Check them out here.

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

“Monstrous Bushes” at “Big Bad Burghley” – Riders React to Defender Burghley Cross Country

By on Sep 6, 2024 4:44 pm -

My, that’s a big b(r)ush. Photo via CrossCountryApp.

OK, so I’ve taken a little creative liberty with that headline, but what’s a missing ‘r’ between friends? In case you’re wondering, the consensus is that Derek needs to trim his bush (sorry, not sorry), particularly in the Leaf Pit area [Fence 7abc].

Richard Jones says the triple brushes at the bottom of the drop are “bigger than anything I’ve ever seen in a five-star” and Matt Heath declares that he’s “never seen so many monstrous triple brushes in my life”.

“Unjumpable” has been uttered once or twice and there’s very much a feeling that the majority of the riders will choose a longer route there, although the options are almost as formidable albeit on slightly more forgiving lines.

For those that do plough ahead and take them on, and of course we (and course designer Derek di Grazia) hope they will, there’s been speculation that they won’t be jumped well. But in this totally stacked field, which is being heralded as the strongest in recent history, those riders at the top of the pack will surely give them a darned good go, and will perhaps even make them look easy. Tom McEwen certainly thinks so.

Aside from the big brushes out there, what else has got the riders talking? Well, there’s no prizes for guessing the buzz words: “big”, “intense”, “massive”, “brave”, “imposing” – everything we expect from Burghley, as Jennie Brannigan sums up very nicely:

“This is what eventing is about, this is eventing, this is the sport. Everyone knows it: big bad Burghley.”

Meanwhile, Derek’s singing away to himself, just under his breath, ‘I like big brush and I cannot lie…’ (probably).

Anyway, we’ve wrangled the riders and asked for their thoughts on what they’ll be facing as they head out of the start box on Saturday.

Which empathetic soul snagged her sneakers and took a run ‘round the track, “to put myself through what the horse is going to go through”?

Who was most succinct in his assessment?

Which young rider is in denial?

Who’s broken out the ‘F’ word?

And who’s being kept up at night by something “hard and huge”?

All this and more down below. Dive right on in and 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.

🇬🇧 Ros Canter – Izilot DHI – 19.9 – 1st – Lordships Graffalo – 22 – 2nd

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Ros is in it to win it against herself as things stand going into cross country, with ‘Isaac’ sitting in the lead and ‘Walter’ just 2.1 points behind in second. How does she think the course will suit each of her guys?

“It looks pretty intense at the start to me. I think certainly for Izilot, the narrow passageways into the main arena, that’s the kind of thing that would unsettle him. If I can get him out of Discovery Valley, the Leaf Pit, back through Discovery Valley, I think he’ll settle and I’ve got every faith in his jumping ability, Walter’s jumping ability, and obviously Walter’s galloping ability. I’m sat on two great horses, so I’ve got to go out and attack.”

🇳🇿 Tim Price – Vitali – 22.3 – 2nd – Viscount Viktor – 29.5 – 16th

Tim Price and Vitali. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Tim had a “wee spin round on the bike” and came back to us with “it’s decent”, “proper”. Succinct.

🇬🇧 Emily King – Valmy Biats – 24.1 – 4th

Emily King and Valmy Biats. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Never mind hunting ‘round to the finish flags, Emily’s hoping ‘Val’ doesn’t hoof it home.

“I think it’s a proper track, a really good test. The going is amazing so I think it’ll give them a fair chance. I think you’ve got to get stuck in early on. To me, some of the biggest questions are actually in the first quarter of the course. Mine’s a really bold horse so I need to make sure I come with enough attack and ride it well enough, but actually not go too over the top because he might just make his way back [home] to Chester! I think you really need a bold, brave horse for this type of course. I think you need to get stuck in the beginning and then try and navigate your way round.”

🇬🇧 Oliver Townend – Cooley Rosalent – 24.4 – 5th=

Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Oliver thinks that Burghley has a feel of Kentucky given that Derek is the designer for both, but he’s not complaining – Cooley Rosalent took the Kentucky crown in the spring, so that surely bodes well. Only time will tell.

“It’s serious. It looks, and this isn’t a complaint, but it looks more and more like Kentucky every year, which is bound to happen with the same course designer. [Cooley Rosalent’s] jumped around some big tracks before, and I’m just going to ride her positively and try and look after her as best I can, hope she learns a lot along the way, and hopefully we come home with a good result. The terrain’s the same but the fences seem to get bigger and bigger and narrower and narrower. It’s a serious, tough cross country course.”

🇳🇿 Monica Spencer – Artist – 24.4 – 5th=

Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Does Monica like the look of the course?

“I mean, like’s a strong word! I’m terrified! But I’m sure once I leave the start box I’ll find some bravery.”

🇫🇷 Gireg Le Coz – Aisprit de La Loge – 25.3 – 7th

Gireg le Coz and Aisprit de la Loge. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Gireg’s planning on using the benefit of his later draw to see just how much trouble the dreaded Leaf Pit causes before he commits to a solid plan.

“I think I’ll go the direct route everywhere, just to see for the Leaf Pit at the beginning because it’s really difficult. I have time to see other riders go before me, so if it causes too much trouble then I’ll go around maybe. But except that, I’m happy to sit on a horse like him.”

🇳🇿 Caroline Powell – Greenacres Special Cavalier – 25.4 – 8th

Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Caroline and ‘Cav’ won Badminton in the spring, so they’re totally good with a massive track. But there’s one fence on her mind as she contemplates the task at Burghley, you guessed it, the Leaf Pit.

“The Leaf Pit’s pretty beefy, I haven’t quite made up my mind what I’m going to do there. The whole way round it’s just quite relentless. If we can take each jump in each section as it comes, there’s plenty of places to put little breathers in.”

Caroline also put a shout out to one of her girls at home who was kicked in the face on Thursday and was operated on on Friday. “Speedy recovery Allison, don’t be too long! Bad way of getting time off!”

🇬🇧 Pippa Funnell – MCS Maverick – 28.3 – 12th – Majas Hope – 29.6 – 17th

Pippa Funnell and MCS Maverick. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Pippa made her debut at the top level almost three decades ago, with Bits And Pieces at Badminton in 1997, so you’d think she’d seen it all when it comes to cross country fences. Apparently not.

“I’ve never seen such big arrowheads in my entire career.”

🇬🇧 Tom Jackson – Capels Hollow Drift – 28.6 – 13th

Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tom’s got a shout out for the Burghley team, for the amazing ground not just out on course, but in the warm ups too.

“I mean, there’s a lot to do. I think it’s a very fair test in that it’s fairly obvious what we’ve got to do, but that doesn’t make it easy because there’s some really big, tricky combinations out there. And the thing is here that if you make a marginal error, or the horse does, then you’re going to end up with penalties, so you’ve just got to be on it all the way around. They’ve done an amazing job with the ground. I mean, I can’t believe even all the warm ups, it’s just phenomenal. So big thanks to the Burghley team because that is very much appreciated by all of us riders, I think.”

🇨🇭 Felix Vogg – Cartania – 28.8 – 14th

Felix Vogg and Cartania. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Felix is feelin’ curious.

“It’s a bit higher than Badminton, but it will be interesting. I’ve only walked it once, but I think it’s very clear, like always with Derek. I have no idea how it will ride and how the profile will be, the up and down, but so far, it will be interesting.”

🇬🇧 Max Warburton – Deerpairc Revelry – 28.9 – 15th

Max Warburton and Deerpairc Revelry. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Max seems undaunted by the task ahead and will be taking the Pony Club ‘kick on’ approach.

“It’s big, we’re at Burghley obviously. But it’s all there in front of you to jump and we’ve just got to kick on.”

🇬🇧 Gemma Stevens – Chilli Knight – 29.7 – 18th

Gemma Tattersall and Chilli Knight. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Wash your mouth out, young lady! Gemma’s broken out the profanities because “big” just won’t do.

“Have you seen the Leaf Pit?! Big ‘the F word’ jumps. There’s not much else to say. You’ve got to be accurate, you’ve got to be fast, you’ve got to be bold, you’ve got to be straight, brave, completely and utterly nuts to do this.”

🇺🇸 Hannah Sue Hollberg – Capitol H I M – 30.7 – 20th

Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Hannah’s having sleepless nights about something “hard and huge”. OK, context is everything:

“It looks like Burghley. It’s hard and huge. The Leaf Pit is kind of keeping me up at night right now. The beginning is a lot to do, and then hopefully you can just stay upright all the way home. I’m looking forward to it on this horse.”

🇬🇧 Tom McEwen – CHF Cooliser – 31.2 – 23rd

Tom McEwen and CHF Cooliser. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Bucking the trend and “100%” looking forward to taking a spin ‘round the behemoth of a track, Tom’s gone all out and given EquiRatings a run for their money with a bold prediction that three combinations will be clear inside the time.

“I think the course is great. I think those skinnies are bloody massive and there’s plenty of other big fences out there. But do you know what? It’s a great track. I actually think it flows very well, and honestly, I can see some of the stellar five-star cross country horses actually make it look really good and fun, and actually cruising around with the time, to be honest. I think it’s another stellar track for Burghley.”

🇬🇧 Matt Heath – Askari – 31.9 – 27th – Golden Recipe – 43.7 – 64th

Matt Heath and Askari. Photo by Libby Law.

Burghley’s no dressage test, that’s for sure, and Matt sees the scoreboard being “shattered” on cross country day.

“I don’t know whether it’s as big as ‘19, 2019 I thought was massive, [Captain Mark Phillips’] last year — I walked out of that thinking he’d got five years of ideas left and decided to pack them all into his last year. But I think it’s the second biggest that I’ve come across, if not challenging the biggest. The only difference is that 2019 was quite a solid track, the fences were all quite solid; there is a lot of brush out there this time. I’ve never seen so many monstrous triple brushes in my life. I think it’s very intense early on as well. I can see the scoreboard shattered on Saturday, not with a dangerous track in any way, shape or form, I think it’s a great track, but I think it’s going to cause a lot of influence.”

He’s one rider who is planning on going straight at the Leaf Pit despite those “monstrous brushes”.

“My plan A at the moment, on both horses, is to go straight. I think that the long route is very long, and it’s still very big. All the long routes all the way around, they’re not much smaller, anywhere you go. Normally we’re used to the long routes taking quite a lot of time but they can be quite kind and forgiving and give riders an opportunity to get horses home, but I don’t feel like the long routes out there do that for us, I think it just takes more bloody time to be honest.”

🇬🇧 Will Rawlin – Ballycoog Breaker Boy – 32 – 28th

Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Will is approximately 12 feet tall and even he thinks the triple brushes at the bottom of the Leaf Pit are enormous.

“Burghley is just so much bigger! Particularly in the first couple of minutes, it’s very intense, and if you’re on a horse that could get a bit brain-fried, then this is a course that could do that, particularly down at the [Leaf Pit], those brushes are huge. I’m a tall guy and I can barely see over the top of them.”

🇮🇪 Ian Cassells – Master Point – 32.4 – 30th

Ian Cassells and Master Point. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Ian’s taking a leap of faith at his first Burghley with a sink or swim metaphor. Hopefully neither, Ian, really.

“It’s my first time here, never walked it before, so I’m literally going in the deep end. I think it starts off quite nice to the arena. I think you want to get the horses nice and settled and into a good rhythm. A lot of combinations, very fast up to the first water, and then I think it allows them to take a breath a little bit with a little bit more galloping fences, and really like settle into your rhythm. I really think it’s important to be efficient and take a little pause, but save the horse at the start.”

🇬🇧 Nicole Mills – Fearless W – 32.6 – 31st

Nicole Mills and Fearless W. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

All the riders here are at least a little on the crazy scale, but Nicole gets extra points for actually running the cross country course. Seriously.

“I ran it last night. I did, I found it quite hard! I thought, I’ve got to put myself through what the horse is going to go through! Yes, it’s big. I mean, I have nothing to compare it to because I’ve not ridden at five-star before and not ridden here before, only in Pony Club. So, yeah, it’s big. I think there’s probably a couple of long routes I might take on first glance, but I plan to walk it another five times, at least, probably not run!”

This pair are making their 5* debut at Burghley, so that’s a few more points added to her crazy tally.

“Burghley is massive and maybe it was a brave choice to come here for our first five star, but he’s a real jumper, like, he’s super scopey and really careful. I’ve just got to make sure I manage him correctly tomorrow [Friday], so that he’s not super wild when he comes out the start box.My first feel was that actually up to the Trout Hatchery, it’s like throwing everything at you, and then I feel like I might be able to get a bit of a breathing space after that. But yeah, I shall be taking deep breaths around the first nine fences, that’s for sure.”

🇳🇿 Dan Jocelyn – Blackthorn Cruise – 33.3 – 34th

Dan Jocelyn and Blackthorn Cruise. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dan’s thinking of sneaking out in the night with some shears.

“I just couldn’t believe the size of those arrowheads in the Leaf Pit. A lot of people honestly thought, have they not finished trimming them yet? It’s a real Burghley track out there — it’s tough and demanding all the way and you’ve got your little whoop-de-dos in the ground.”

🇺🇲 Mia Farley – Phelps – 33.7 – 36th

Mia Farley and Phelps. Photo by Sally Spickard.

[Interviewer] “Like it?”
[Mia] “I do.”
[Interviewer] “Good. All the Americans have been very positive.”
[Mia] “Well, we might be in denial!”

🇮🇪 Austin O’Connor – Colorado Blue – 33.9 – 37th

Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Austin’s a very cool customer, and a 5* winner, but he admits to being terrified. We don’t believe you, Austin.

“It’s proper big, terrifying Burghley. [Colorado Blue’s] in good order and I wouldn’t want to be sat on anything else at this point.”

🇺🇲 Jennie Brannigan – FE Lifestyle – 34.7 – 40th=

Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Big. Enormous. Massive. Pah! Jennie’s living the dream and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world than at Burghley going eventing.

“I love it. The hardest event in the world, but I love it. I wouldn’t want to be on any other horse. I just think it’s the hardest event in the world. Everyone knows, it’s the best event. To me, this is what eventing is about, this is eventing, this is the sport. And this is why, as a kid, I wanted to do it. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else competing at any other show this year. This is it for me. Everyone knows it: big bad Burghley.”

🇬🇧 Francis Whittington – DHI Purple Rain – 34.7 – 40th=

Francis Whittington and DHI Purple Rain. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Ever the horseman, Francis plans to ride off feel, although he’s very certain about his plan to go long at the Leaf Pit.

“I’ve walked it twice now, and on my second walk, I’m clear I’m going to go long route down off the Leaf Pit. It’s quite an imposing fence, I mean, the dimensions on that look crazy ridiculous. The ground, the terrain in front of it — there’s so many variables, and you’re at fence six. Mentally, if it does go wrong, it’s not far back to the stables! So if you’re going to walk the course earlier on in the day and watch some rounds on Saturday, I’d stay near fence five. The thing we have about Burghley, it’s an accumulative thing, isn’t it? So somebody might have an issue later on around the course, but it will be down to an accumulation of knocks; you’re taking out of that bucket, and as a rider you’re trying to make sure that you put some goodness back into that bucket where you can. It’s not necessarily a course that you ride off your watch, you’ve got to ride off what you feel.”

🇬🇧 Alex Bragg – Quindiva – 35.1 – 42nd

Alex Bragg and Quindiva. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Alex’s plan is to keep his eyes firmly between the flags and not get distracted by the beauty of the estate.

“It’s amazing. I mean, he [Derek di Grazia] does build some amazing courses with the help of the team, and Burghley is just stunning, so I’m going to try and concentrate and not just enjoy the scenery on the way around. It looks magnificent so let’s see let’s see where we are on Sunday.”

🇮🇪 Declan Cullen – Seavaghan Ash – 35.2 – 43rd

Declan Cullen and Seavaghan Ash. Photo by Eventing Nation.

Declan’s feeling a little peaky.

“There’s no cameras on me, but I am pale. Yeah, it’s big. It’s what we expected. Hopefully my horse is pretty good. He’s generally been a very honest soul. My wife actually backed him and broke him while she was expecting our child. He’s as quiet as a lamb; he’s honest and straight but it’s Burghley, anything could happen here. My lack of experience at this level, plenty of experience at four star, but this is when I step up.”

🇬🇧 Libby Seed – Heartbreaker Star Quality – 36.1 – 46th

Libby Seed and Heartbreaker Star Quality. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Libby tells it as it is.

“It’s big isn’t it?!”

🇬🇧 Richard Jones – Alfies Clover – 36.3 – 47th

Richard Jones and Alfies Clover. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

This will be Alfies Clover’s last ever 5*, sniff. What a great ambassador for the sport this guy has been throughout his long career and what a joy it is to watch him hunting around the biggest cross country courses in the world, which we get to do one final time. Here’s what Richard thinks of those notorious triple brushes at the Leaf Pit.

“I don’t think dressage will be too relevant, in fact, I’d say dressage will be probably not relevant. The brushes off the Leaf Pit look bigger than anything I’ve ever seen in a five-star, any five-star I’ve ever done, nearly verging on unjumpable. I’m sure on Saturday they will be jumped, but not by many, not the direct way, well.”

Some riders have requested a triple brush to be put into the warm up — in preparation for the enormous ones at the bottom of the Leaf Pit.

“I think if you’re doing your homework in the warm up, it’s probably too late. I certainly won’t be getting stressed jumping in the warm up, there’s enough to jump out there.”

🇬🇧 Emma Hyslop-Webb – Jeweetwel – 37.7 – 52nd

Emma’s very sensibly, and rightly, leaving her ego in the start box as she sets out on her round.

“It’s a very well built course, I thought. With him only being ten, there will be a couple of places that I’ll go long and it will be very much riding one of those rounds for the horse, not for my pride, you know, go straight everywhere, and I’m a warrior, and all that. It will be very much a round for the horse.”

On that sage note, all that’s left to say is kick on and go eventing!

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A Family Affair for Declan Cullen and Seavaghan ASH in 5* Debut at Defender Burghley

By on Sep 6, 2024 3:00 pm -

Declan Cullen and Seavaghan ASH. Photo by Pan Cunningham.

Irish rider Declan Cullen wryly refers to himself as “the grandfather” this weekend, not only earning the title of eldest rider at age 56 but also laying down a healthy dose of “if I can do it, so can you” inspiration in making a long-anticipated CCI5* debut at Defender Burghley.

Teaming up with the very special, splashily-colored Seavaghan ASH (Glenhill Gold – Davys Instructions, by Safety Catch) makes the weekend that much more meaningful for Declan, who also campaigned the 15-year-old Irish Sporthorse gelding’s sire, Glenhill Gold, to the 4* level. Glenhill Gold was actually intended to go to the 5* level, but a change in FEI qualifications and the institution of athlete categorization meant he wasn’t able to get the amount of MERs needed in time to achieve the goal.

“We were qualified for Badminton 2012, we were actually qualified in 2010 [as well]. FEI changed the rules, we couldn’t go,” Declan explained. “As an amateur rider, [with] only two horses, I had more qualifications to do, and that boat sailed, and we missed it. He was getting on so then he was retired, and now I’ve had his son, which we bought as a foal. We produced him on, you could say, patiently — he’s now 15. But we were qualified last year to go to Luhmühlen. He took a wee bit of a virus. This year, we’d go back to Luhmühlen but I run my own Horse Trials called the Clare in Ireland and it was just clashing with that. And so we said, okay, let’s bite the bullet [and go to Burghley].”

That chasing of an always-elusive goal of getting a horse to an event like Burghley has had to balance with the other realities of life. Declan and his wife, Becky, run their own business in Cullen Equine Solutions, and Declan is also a nutrition expert working for Pegus Horse Feed. Becky is a 5* rider in her own right, having done two of the three phases of Badminton in 2004 with Wee Hot Toddy and is now a respected coach and mentor while maintaining her riding alongside. For the Cullens, that trip to Badminton “lit a fire” and spurred them on to make a return one day.

Seavaghan Ash was purchased as a foal, along with several other foals sired by Glenhill Gold, and he’s been produced by Declan patiently and tactfully as a true member of the family. “He is Mr. Laidback. He should be at the household calvary, just standing [at Westminter].He will not move. He is idle, but [he has] a great temperament and [is] a great soulmate. He’s very special, very special for everything that we’ve done. I can recall, as a four year old in March time riding around the muddy fiends, and that horse has never had a lead. He’s never had anyone to show him how to jump ahead or jump a ditch. He’s done it all on his own back. He’s been amazing.”

Declan Cullen and Seavaghan ASH. Photo by Pan Cunningham.

Declan and “Cassidy” scored a 35.2 on Thursday, a very respectable debut 5* score that tracks in line with their typical averages at the 4* level. Declan admits he felt he got a bit of “the yips” (known in sports as a temporary abandonment of one’s skills that ordinarily would come naturally) as he headed in for his test. “To be honest, I’m pleased the way he went. He was fabulous, I’d say. But of course, it’s a different deal when you go inside and you have the tension and following Max [Warburton’s] test and the applause. Yes, I got a bit of the yips…I didn’t really ride as I did outside. So I left it — I left marks there. What luck, it’s my first five star, I’ve left it late in life to tackle this challenge, so I’m happy.”

“Late in life” is truly a relative term when it comes to eventing, and Declan keeps his gratitude for this special horse and an opportunity he’s been dreaming of for so long close.

“It was something we’ve been looking to do a long time, and there’s so many years I was going to retire,” Declan mused. “I was going to quit — financially, motivationally, horsepower. It is a very expensive sport that we’re in. We all question the effort and the reward of all the disciplines, dressage and show jumping and eventing. We just don’t seem to get the same reward and to keep going, it’s a credit to all the riders, all the owners that do it. So what kept me going? I believed he was a five-star horse. I hope he goes to prove me that, and that’s why I’ve stood the journey.”

Our coverage of Burghley is brought to you by our incredible supporters, Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional products to keep your horse feeling their best at all times. They’ll even get on the phone with you to help you formulate a solid supplementation plan for your horse’s individual needs! We’d really appreciate your support of KPP, as they’re champions for our sport and beyond and are wonderful people to boot. Check them out here.

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Friday Morning at Defender Burghley: Emily King Helms a Day of Personal Bests

By on Sep 6, 2024 9:07 am -

Emily King and Valmy Biats. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

There are two easy ways to put the pressure on a seriously fit event horse in the dressage ring at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials – you can present them with a boisterous, determined wind, as we saw throughout yesterday’s competition, or, as in today’s, you can swap that wind for some beaming sunshine and, instead, fill the stands to the rafters with enthusiastic eventing fans. Even just driving in to the estate this morning felt like cross-country day; standstill traffic wended its way back through pretty little Stamford town, and once parked up and in, all those tens of thousands of spectators – if not more – have filled the place, taking up their spots in the stands or sprawling like festivalgoers across the grass to follow the competition on the big screens dotted here, there, and everywhere.

It feels, in short, like a day in which everyone is aware of just how lucky they are to be here, and accordingly, they’re going to enjoy every last moment of it. That’s a delightful sort of atmosphere to exist in, unless, of course, you’re half a tonne of race-fit party animal, being asked very nicely to dance a bit more like prima ballerina Anna Pavlova, than, say, Australian break-dancer Raygun.

Those who managed it, though, were well rewarded by the ground jury, helmed by President  Christina Klingspor (SWE), along with Robert Stevenson (USA) and Nick Burton (GBR). And the very best of the morning’s efforts so far? Our very first duo in the ring, Emily King and her two-time Grantham Cup winner, Valmy Biats. They didn’t just nail the brief and navigate the new CCI5* C test sweetly – they also earned themselves a five-star personal best, which is also Emily’s career PB at this level, of 24.1, putting them straight into second place though not threatening Ros Canter’s lead on a 19.8. 

“He was awesome —  really listening and with me,” says Emily of the fifteen-year-old Selle Français gelding (Orlando – Hadj A). “He felt the same from the warm-up to when I went in, and it’s always so much easier when they’re like that!”

When Valmy’s not like that, Emily continues, “he doesn’t really particularly light up, he just goes quite strong and on a mission, so I just have to, like, reset his balance, because he comes down, he halts, and then it feels like he wants to go out the startbox. Today, though, he didn’t go too hot, and I’m really pleased with how he navigated it.”

Emily King and Valmy Biats. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Valmy’s one tiny ‘on a mission’ moment came at the second halt, which saw the pair overshoot the marker at C slightly, and then drop off the contact marginally in the reinback, breaking up their string of 7.5s and 8s with 6.5s. But Emily made some tactful rebalancing steps in the walk, and ultimately, delivered arguably some of the best walk pirouettes we’ve seen so far in the next movements.

“He’s a really good boy with his pirouettes,” she says. “I tried not to shorten his walk for the medium walk, but just shorten his frame, and I could feel him going quite delicate. And I was like, ‘I’ll just keep the frame a bit longer and keep him walking’. It was probably not technically how everything should be, but I wanted to just keep him moving. What’s nice is that I think most of us know that at this level, the ones that are producing good tests are established with the movements. And so even though it’s a new test, it’s nearly, for the hot ones, [better] – it keeps him guessing, a little bit, where [every movement] would be. I think [these horse] know the other five-star tests so well that actually, having the movements in that different order can help you get them just waiting and listening.”

From then on out, the test continued in a similar vein: their extended canter nabbed them a 9, as did the canter half-pass, and they picked up 8s for the changes, too, giving the big crowd – and Emily herself – plenty to celebrate after the final halt and salute.

Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

It looked, for a while, as though Oliver Townend might manage to squeak ahead of Emily, though, when he came into the ring with the ten-year-old Cooley Rosalent (Valent – Roselier), with whom he won Kentucky this spring. But though they started strong, earning plenty of 8s for the most developed trot-work we’ve yet seen from the mare, and a 10 for their second halt, some minor greenness played into the canter work, giving them 4s across the board for the first, double-marked flying change. Three tidy ones followed, and their final centreline was decisive – and ultimately, it was enough to put a 24.4 on the board for provisional third place at the halfway point of day two.

“She’s only a 10 year old, and she’s had an exciting life so far. The last two times she was in a big arena was Kentucky and perhaps Blenheim and Maryland,and so going into an atmosphere like that, she’s getting to know the crowd and the job, and you never know which way they’re going to react,” says Oliver.

Though ‘Rosie’ is still just ten, and thus one of the youngest in this field, she’s also already a five-star winner, as well as a third-place finisher at Maryland in 2023, and so reigning titleholder Oliver comes to Burghley with a mix of both expectation and future-proofing in mind.

“I’m always here to try and do my job, and hope that she does hers, but I’m here to continue her education and look after her, and hopefully end up with a big result at the end of it,” he says.

Bringing such an exciting young talent back to his favourite event is a particular milestone for Oliver.

“It’s probably as big as eventing gets. If I wanted to [show the sport] to somebody that was non-horsey, I’d want them to come here and say to them, ‘this is what eventing is’. This is the biggest horse trials in the world and the hardest to win, and that’s why it’s so important to all the riders.”

Gireg le Coz and Aisprit de la Loge. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Fourth place is now the domain of Gireg le Coz and Aisprit de la Loge (Quppydam des Horts – Dollar du Murier), who put a five-star personal best of 25.3 on the board after a test full of highlights, particularly in the canter work, which was uphill, fluid, and showed all their combined experience and confidence.

“It’s my best test, so I’m very happy — he’s been very good recently,” says Gireg, who was travelling reserve for the French team at the Paris Olympics this summer. “I didn’t run up the Olympics, so I want to go well here — I have ambitions for the week, and I think it’s a great start. He felt really confident and very good.”

That Paris preparation has meant that the summer season has had a few stutter-steps as far as fitness work goes, but there’s no denying that the fourteen-year-old Aisprit de la Loge is looking at his peak as he begins his fourth five-star.

“I got him ready for the Olympics, and so then I wanted to give him a little break and start to make him fit again for Burghley, which I hope I did well – but Paris was a great experience, and I hope next time I’ll be in the team.”

Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

The new-look top five is completed by Badminton champions Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier (Cavalier Royale – Touchdown), who were also travelling reserves at Paris, but have since had a super start to their autumn campaign, taking the win in Blair Castle’s mountainous CCI4*-S a couple of weeks ago. Today, they began their Burghley with their five-star personal best, a smart 25.4 that puts them nearly three penalties ahead of sixth-placed Pippa Funnell and MCS Maverick.

“She’s pretty cool at the moment, isn’t she? She’s an out-and-out professional — she just goes in and she does the job,” says Caroline with a smile. “And, you know, we’ve been really lucky. We’ve had [help from] Tracie Robinson, and from Gareth [Hughes] with the New Zealand team, so there’s been a lot of work that’s gone into it, and she remembers, she loves it, she adores it. She knows, now, what the crowds are here for, and she’s pretty sure they’re all there for her!”

Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

The rest of the top ten is made up of yesterday’s riders – Pippa and MCS Maverick in sixth, Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift in seventh, Felix Vogg and Cartania in eighth, Max Warburton and Deerpaircs Revelry in ninth, and Tim Price and Viscount Viktor in tenth. The US contingent, though, came very close to slotting one of their own in this morning: Hannah Sue Hollberg and seventeen-year-old Capitol H I M (Con Air 7 – Heraldik) sit provisionally eleventh on their own personal best of 30.7, having just missed out on a spot in the top ten when they went off-course after the first flying change.

“He was going so well, and he did that first change so well, and I was like, ‘this is going so grea! …I have no idea where to go!’” laughs Hannah Sue. “That hasn’t happened to me in, like, twenty years. I’ve never completely forgotten where I was supposed to go, and just never gotten it back like that. I was like, ‘I’m going to have to go to the judge and ask where to go!’ Hopefully tomorrow will go smoothly, now that I’ve made a big mistake!”

At seventeen, big, rangy Chito is truly coming into his own on the flat – a positive shift that Hannah Sue says largely comes down to not schooling dressage too much.

“I really just kind of take it a test at a time, and really just try to get better and better and get him stronger. Like, he wants to be a bit low naturally, so I’m just trying to get the strength behind and not ask too much ever. I don’t do a ton of dressage work with him – like, I do flat work and strength work and work on my riding, and then I go to shows and practice in the ring, and it gets better and better.”

“I like my horses to enjoy their jobs, and want to do it for me. And I’m just not ever going to be the type that’s going to put their head on their chest and kick them around. I just want him to be happy and love doing it, so I try not to make it miserable. It’s miserable for me to do [dressage] too much, too! If I feel that way, I’m not the one carrying me around, so I can’t imagine it being that easy. But I do think he loves [his job]. He really understands what he’s supposed to do, and that’s the best part of my job, I think, when they’re like, ‘oh, this is important, I’ll try really hard.’

Cosby Green and Copper Beach. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Cosby Green, who’s in her second season based with Tim and Jonelle Price, begins her Burghley debut with a 31.6 aboard eighteen-year-old stalwart Copper Beach (Radolin – unknown), who she took on from former pilot Buck Davidson in 2020. That’s enough to put them provisionally in sixteenth place as they head into the meat of their third five-star together.

“I thought it was his best test today, and to be 18 and to give that result was amazing,” beams Cosby, who credits Tim and Jonelle’s expertise in keeping older horses fit and happy with helping her get the best from ‘Sean’. “After Badminton, he just came through amazing. He was ready for more. And, I mean, he just keeps getting better. The program I’m in is proven to be successful with older horses, so I’m sticking with it, believing it, and he’s just on amazing form. So I’m really happy!”

We’re heading into the final two groups of dressage shortly – so keep it locked on EN for another full report from this afternoon’s action after it concludes, and in the meantime, you can join Cheg for insightful analysis from each ride as it happens here. Go Eventing!

The top ten at the Friday lunch break at Burghley.

Our coverage of Burghley is brought to you by our incredible supporters, Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional products to keep your horse feeling their best at all times. They’ll even get on the phone with you to help you formulate a solid supplementation plan for your horse’s individual needs! We’d really appreciate your support of KPP, as they’re champions for our sport and beyond and are wonderful people to boot. Check them out here.

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

Back at Burghley for Dressage Day Two – Live Blog from Defender Burghley

By on Sep 6, 2024 4:17 am -

Ros Canter and Izilot DHI streaked ahead of the pack yesterday. Will they be caught today? Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

We’re back at Burghley for the second day’s dressage and I’ll be bringing you every single step from between the white boards as the first phase leaderboard is ironed out, that is before it’s inevitably all change once more when tomorrow’s cross country course has its say on the competition.

For now though, we’re keeping our ears firmed pricked on the Main Arena and we sure are in for a treat today as the remaining competitors go all in to get their nose ahead of yesterday’s, almost record-breaking, leading score put down by Ros Canter and Pau winner Izilot DHI. They’re streaks ahead on 19.9 – only the second ever sub-20 dressage score at Burghley and a career-best at the level for Ros. But they’re not home and dry for there are a number of combinations to come who’ll fancy their chances of making their mark on the leaderboard, not least last year’s record-breakers (with a score of 18.7), and last to go today, Tim Price and Vitali. The riders will have to be brave and bold if they want to challenge for the top, which means we’re in for an especially exciting day of dressage.

Here’s a look at the top 3 as things stand:

1️⃣ Ros Canter and Izilot DHI on a score of 19.9.
2️⃣ Two-time Burghley winner Pippa Funnell and MCS Maverick on a score of 28.3.
3️⃣ Just 0.3 behind his mentor, Pippa, is Tom Jackson with Capels Hollow Drift on a score of 28.6.

Click here for the full scoreboard.

Missed out yesterday? Don’t fret.

▶️ Re-live every step of every test in our live blog.
▶️ Read Tilly’s classic round-up reports here: [Morning] [Afternoon]

Emily King and Valmy Biats will kick off today’s action at 9:30am local time / 10:30am CET / 5:30am ET.

🇺🇲 If you’re following the US camp, here’s what you need to know:

📍 Yesterday Jennie Brannigan got things underway for the Americans with FE Lifestyle, putting down a score of 34.7 which saw them in 15th place overnight.

📍 Mia Farley and OTTB Phelps have also completed their first phase, scoring 33.7 which put them in 13th place.

Today the rest of the US contingent will have their turn up the center line:

📍Cosby Green and Copper Beach are second up the center line this morning; they’ll come into the ring at 4:37am ET.

📍Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M are over in England for the first time; they enter the Burghley Main Arena at 6:02am ET.

📍Andrew McConnon and Wakita 54 will wrap the dressage up for the US at 9:30am ET.

I could go through the field and pick out combinations of note but basically it’s all of them, so here’s the full list of ride times for your perusal.

If you just can’t get enough info about this year’s competitors, then you’re in need of EN’s epic Form Guide, which you’ll find right here.

Should your appetite for all things Burghley be as insatiable as ours, I’ve got good news for you – we’ve got your back with live blogs following every single step the runners and riders take in all three phases as well as our classic detailed reports of all the action each day. Keep eyes on for our cross country course preview and Riders React post, in which we’ll be wrangling the riders and giving you the low-down on what they think of the fences they’ll be facing when they leave the start box. Keep it locked on to EN and go eventing vicariously at Burghley via all our event coverage. As if that isn’t enough, we’ve got great IG content happening too @goeventing.

I’ll be bringing you live updates from the Main Arena throughout the day, so keep this page refreshed, and watch this space. If you’re catching up with this later and are the type to like things in order, scroll ⬇️ and read ⬆️. If going backwards is more your jam, have at it.

Settle in and 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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10:57am ET

The first phase is done and dusted and we have a clubhouse leaderboard as we head into tomorrow’s cross country. Here’s a quick look:

1️⃣ Heading up the chasing pack, holding onto her lead almost right from the very start of proceedings, Britain’s Ros Canter and Izilot DHI are in the lead on a score of 19.9.
2️⃣ 2.1 points behind herself is Ros Canter and her second ride Lordships Graffalo on 22.
3️⃣ And just 0.3 behind, rounding out the top three as things stand, is New Zealand’s Tim Price with Vitali on 22.3.

Click here for the full scoreboard.

A reminder that the scores that came in directly after each test were provisional, so I’ve updated them below.

And so onto tomorrow, the best day, cross country day. I’ll be back with live updates of every single second out on course, so set your reminders for 11am local time / 12 noon CET / 6am ET and come along for the ride.

We’ll have a round-up of all that went down between the white boards today for you very soon – eyes on EN.

In the meantime, click here for all the Burghley content you can handle.

Until tomorrow ENers, 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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🇳🇿 Tim Price and Vitali

10:47am ET

🌠 We’re finishing up with a combination which have the potential to head straight to the top of the leaderboard. They put down a record-breaking 18.7 at Burghley last year, the first sub-20 dressage score in the history of the event. Vitali has finished in the top-10 in all five of his 5* starts, including taking third place here in 2022 and fourth last season. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

This is it, our final competitor in the first phase at Defender Burghley 2024.

Vitali was characteristically looky and fresh at the horse inspection on Wednesday and showed a great reinback on the jog strip. He’s often flighty on the first day though, Tim’ll have all that excitement contained by now.

Hold your breath…

They are perfectly square in the first halt and IT’S A 10! What a start.

Ooo, Vitali’s got his game face on and there’s a 9 for a very strong extended trot, and more 9s coming in for the lateral work. Vitali is characteristically soft and supple, so confident and flashy, and Tim is riding for every single fraction of a mark.

The reinback is a little stiff, for this horse, and the scores drop to 7s and a 7.5. They go into walk and Vitali is very relaxed and rhythmical as he strides across the diagonal. The pirouettes are accurate and clean and the second scores an 8. There’s a tiny bit of anticipation in the transition when Vitali wonders why they’re going into trot and not canter, but Tim’s totally on it.

They strike off into canter in the right place and Tim storms down the side of the ring in extended for two 8s. Everything is accurate and clean, expressive and honest. What a lovely picture this test is, so secure and easy looking.

The scores for the canter work are mainly in the 7s with a smattering of 8s and they’re trending for a podium place, but not for the top. The final halt is excellent for a 9 and two 8s and the harmony marks are two 9s and an 8.

A lovely end to what has been a fabulous two days of dressage. We’ve seen such quality throughout the field and have really been treated to the highest class of horse and rider competitors.

Into third for Tim and Vitali.

Tim Price and Vitali score 22.3.

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10:39am ET

🇬🇧 Harry Meade and Annaghmore Valoner

💍 Harry’s back and here’s another fun Harry fact – he proposed to his wife during a Badminton course walk. He brings this mare forward for her 5* debut. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

We’re down to our penultimate competitor of this year’s Burghley dressage phase.

Harry’s not quite on the center line as he comes into the ring but the halt is very square for an 8.5. The mare looks to be very elegant and rangy and the scores are very high at the beginning of this test, showing the rhythm and balance that’s a feature of her trot work. The extended is lovely and strong and really shows her scope. What a start for this pair.

The halt at C isn’t quite right but the reinback is accurate and scores two 7s and a 7.5. The mare is very relaxed in the walk, swinging through her back and striding forward – it’s rewarded with two 8s. The pirouette is a little big but is accurate enough for two 7.5s. The second on is a little sticky but they go back into a beautiful trot and the scores go straight back up to 7.5s and 8s.

Harry’s very brave in the extended canter and scores two 8s and it’s clear that this horse is just as impressive in canter as she is in trot. The changes are clean and solid and Harry really uses all of his experience to help this young talent to manage them. They’re sure to be excellent as her career progresses though. There’s so much potential on show from this mare and a very exciting prospect for the future for Harry. Lots to like here and some very nice highlights. She’s a beautiful mover and is already confident and happy in her work. The best of Harry’s three rides and another sub-30 score coming in; we really have been treated to such high quality dressage at Burghley this year.

Harry Meade and Annaghmore Valoner score 27.8.

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10:32am ET

🇬🇧 Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo

✨ Well, what can we say about ‘Walter’? Runner-up in his first 5*, winner of his second, finished on his dressage at the World Championships to be pipped to the podium because he was too fast on the cross country, Olympic team gold medalist… Ros heralds this gelding as equally good in all three phases, a triple threat if you will. And based on his form, she’s not wrong. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Walter is so confident as he comes straight up the center line. He’s clearly got absolute faith in Ros. They get off to a great start with a 9 and an 8 for the first halt. He’s soft and listening as he works around the ring in trot. There’s a lovely expression on his face and he really shows his scope in the extended for 8s across the board. There’s another 9 for the shoulder in and the scores are predominantly in the 8s for the trot work.

The halt is perfectly square for two 9s, although the first step back isn’t on the diagonal and there’s a tiny bit of resistance which drops the marks slightly. They move off into walk and Walter is still very relaxed and super happy in his work. Carl claims the first pirouette is one of the nicest we’ve seen and it scores a massive 9. The second scores two 8s and a 7.5. They really were clean and accurate.

They move into the canter section of the test and Ros straightens up for the extended and then pushes and is rewarded with two 8s. Walter is so comfortable in his work and balanced and the changes are established and clean. Ros is really taking her time in this test and showing Walter off and he’s responding and trying very hard for his rider. It’s so easy to watch Ros and Walter work together.

The final halt is off the center line but it’s perfectly square and scores a 10. What an end to a brilliant test. There’s two 9s and an 9.5 for the harmony marks and a huge cheer from an appreciative crowd. Ros waves and Walter takes it all in. Ros asks the crowd to settle for the next horse coming in, which is why we love Ros.

Into second for Ros and Walter, just behind Ros and Isaac.

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo score 22.

‘Walter’ looked every bit the total pro at the horse inspection on Wednesday and is surely one of the hot favorites to take the title this week.

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10:24am ET

🇬🇧 Pippa Funnell and Majas Hope

👑 Eventing queen Pippa’s back with her second ride, Majas Hope, her stalwart 5* campaigner who’s got eight top-level runs under his belt, include three top-10 finishes. Photo by Abby Powell.

Today’s Test:

Pippa’s game face on as she halts for the start of her test. They stop dead square and get two 8s and a 7.5. Majas Hope strides off in trot and really shows his power and balance. He’s nicely supple in the lateral work and there are lots of 7s and 7.5s coming in so far.

The halt at C scores an 8 and two 7.5s but the reinback is a little stick and the marks dip a bit. Carl comments that the walk doesn’t have enough purpose for the big marks, but it’s relaxed and the shorter strides make the pirouettes a bit easier to navigate. Pippa’s riding for every single mark she can get and really is giving a masterclass of riding the horse that’s underneath you and using her ringcraft and experience to present a very solid test.

They get a good strike off into canter and the first change is very expressive for two 7.5s and a 7 – that’s worth double. The changes on the serpentine aren’t quite as good. Pippa looks happy as she halts square and puts another 8 on the board, and there’s an 8 in the harmony mark too. This has been an example of riding to make it happen and Pippa really has shown us all how to work with the horse you’ve got to produce the best result you can. Another sub-30 score on the way.

Pippa Funnell and Majas Hope score 29.6.

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10:17am ET

🇬🇧 Matthew Heath and Askari

🚔 Askari may have a serious kinda name (it means ‘police’ in Swahili), but in the barn Muffin’s all sweetness 🧁 He made his 5* debut at Burghley last year and completed in 39th 🦁 Matt also had his first top-level start at Burghley, back in 2013, with fan-fave The Lion – together they competed here six times. Before that, Matt was a mounted steward at the event. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

This sweet guy is just lovely to look at, with his big white face and kind eye, and seriously, ‘Muffin’ as a barn name? OMG.

Matt and Muffin come confidently up the center line although they step into the halt a bit. They set off into a nice bouncy trot and Muffin looks to be soft and rideable. The extended is very nice; a great overtrack and push from behind is rewarded with an 8.5 from one judge. This is really shaping up to be a very secure test thus far.

The halt at C is very square and is rewarded with an 8, 7.5 and 7 and the reinback is accurate for 7.5s across the board. Muffin stays relaxed throughout the walk and is clearly trying very hard for Matt. They manage the first pirouette very cleanly although they lose the rhythm slightly in the second one. There’s the opportunity to show off Muffin’s lovely trot for a hot minute before the canter transition.

The canter is rangy which makes things a bit more difficult in the ring, although it’ll come in handy tomorrow out on course. The first change is solid for 7s across the board but the second is late and scores two 4s and a 5, which is an expensive mistake. The next one is better though and the third scores 6.5s across the board. The final halt is very brief and Muffin shows just how relaxed he is in the ring as he walks out on a long rein.

He gets a big clap for a lovely job. Muffin was rideable throughout and looked to be trying very hard for Matt.

Matthew Heath and Askari score 31.9.

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10:09am ET

🇫🇷 Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza II

One of the great characters of the eventing circuit, Gaspard comes to Burghley with his World and European Championships ride, the very exciting mare Zaragoza. Sixth individually at Pratoni, her 5* debut at Pau last season didn’t go to plan, so Gaspard will be looking to put that right this week. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Getting things underway for the final session is French character Gaspard with his lovely mare Zaragoza.

King of dressage Carl Hester is back in the commentary box for the final six competitors.

Gaspard doesn’t put a hoof outside the mown strip as he comes up the center line and the mare looks to be very relaxed as she moves off in trot. The extended is very expressive and a highlight for this horse; it’s rewarded with 8s across the board. There’s lots of suppleness and swing in show in the early trot work and plenty of very good marks coming in.

The halt at C scores two 8s and the reinback is very sound for an 8 and two 7.5s. They move off into walk and Zaragoza stays relaxed throughout for two 8s in the scores. They navigate the pirouettes well but then there’s anticipation in the trot transition and Zaragoza goes into canter momentarily. Gaspard gets her straight back though and they go into canter proper smoothly. The extended is bold and scores an 8 and two 7.5s.

There’s a very good rhythm in the canter work and more 8s coming in. The first change is clean as are both of the changes on the serpentine. The mare is obviously confident although there is a very slight moment of tension in her back just before the change which holds her back from the very top marks.

Gaspard is very pleased as he halts at the end and it’s a superb finish for them with a 9 and two 8s for the final halt. What a lovely test this has been, very confident, very secure and another sub-30 score coming in.

Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza II score 26.8.

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We’re heading into a short break now. Back in just over 15 minutes, at 10:09am ET when we’ll wrap up the dressage phase at Defender Burghley 2024.

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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9:45am ET

🇮🇪 Susie Berry and Wellfields Lincoln

🍀 Hoping for the luck of the Irish, Susie brings ‘Slinky’ forward for his 5* debut following a solid performance in Paris. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

We’ll be heading into the final break after Susie’s test.

‘Slinky’ had a big spook at the sand strip during the first horse inspection on Wednesday, like, why’s the beach here, mom? He looks happier to be on the grass today.

Susie looks incredibly serious as she halts at the start of her test, there’s a tiny step back. They get into a very balanced trot and the horse looks very confident as he strides across the ring for his extended – that’s surely a highlight for this horse; it scores two 7.5s and a 7. Slinky is working very hard and seems happy in his work as he makes his way round the Main Arena.

The halt at C is great and scores two 8s but the reinback is a little untidy at the end and scores a 5.5, 6.5 and 7. They head into walk and it’s nice and relaxed but could have more overtrack for the big marks. They navigate the pirouettes neatly and score an 8 for the first one. Very nice.

The horse’s head comes up in the canter transition which’ll be a bit costly, but Susie pushes in the extended and obviously has a lot of confidence in her horse. The lateral work is soft and accurate and then then first change scores an 8 and two 7.5s – that’s worth double marks. This guy is very confident and well within himself in this difficult test, but unfortunately they miss the final change and score 4s across the board – another one that’s double marked. That’s a real shame in what’s been a really solid and confident test. What an exciting horse this is for the future and there’s for sure much more to come in this phase for him as his career progresses.

Susie Berry and Wellfields Lincoln score 31.5.

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9:37am ET

🇯🇵 Ryuzo Kitajima and Feroza Nieuwmoed

🔥 Fresh from picking up an historic team bronze for Japan in Paris, Ryuzo brings Feroza Nieuwmoed to Burghley for a second 5* start, after finishing 15th at Pau on his debut at the level. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Feroza Nieuwmoed is a bit looky as he makes his way around the ring whilst waiting for the bell. Ryuzo is super experienced though and uses his time to settle the horse before coming up the center line.

There’s a slight wobble over the mown strip but they finish up in a nice halt and get their test going with two 7.5s and a 7. This horse really has a lovely trot, it’s balanced and supple and looks very rideable. Everything looks very soft and scores so far are in the 7s on the whole.

The halt’s not square but the reinback is clean and accurate for two 7.5s and a 7. They go into walk and the horse’s head comes up slightly for a look round, but Ryuzo sits quiet and gets things back together. They navigate the pirouettes really nicely and set back off into trot before making a clean canter transition.

Ryuzo obviously doesn’t feel he can really push for the top marks in the extended canter, but it’s straight and balanced and scores 7s across the board. The first change is clean for three 6.5s and the next is also sound. The second one on the serpentine isn’t scored as well and it’s a similar story for the final one.

They finish up with a big round of applause and a big pat for Feroza Nieuwmoed stretches right down. He has a little trot out of the arena. There’s a bit of a shrug from Ryuzo who clearly feels he left a few marks out there, but overall this was a very solid test and a good start to their Burghley.

Ryuzo Kitajima and Feroza Nieuwmoed score 33.

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9:30am ET

🇺🇲 Andew McConnon and Wakita 54

🤩 Andrew’s no stranger to the other side of the pond, having spent time in England working for William Fox-Pitt. He’s also worked with Pippa Funnell and her husband, William, at The Billy Stud. This mare made her 5* debut at Kentucky in the spring and finished top-20. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Andrew’s smiling as he halts on the center line to start his test, clearly enjoying his time at Burghley. Wakita moves off beautifully into a balanced trot and, although there could be a little more softness in the lateral work for the big scores, Andrew’s riding everything accurately and bringing out the best in his horse.

The reinback is a little sticky and the scores drop down to 5s and 5.5 but the walk across the ring is very good; it’s soft and relaxed and is rewarded with two 7s. There’s a little tension in the pirouettes and Wakita’s head comes up but they get back into trot and the horse seems happier.

They get a smooth transition into canter and Andrew pushes on for the extended and there’s a 7 in the scores for that. This horse clearly doesn’t find this phase easy but they’re working well as a partnership. Unfortunately they changes aren’t so established and the first is quite expensive. The others are better though.

Andrew’s still smiling as he halts at the end of his test. Overall this has really showed a partnership working through the movements together and showing confidence in one another. Onto cross country for them.

Andew McConnon and Wakita 54 score 40.4.

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9:22am ET

🇫🇷 Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold HDZ

🥈 Part of the silver medal winning team at his home games in Paris (to complete the set – he won team gold in Athens and team bronze in Tokyo), Nicolas was the first French rider to win Badminton in 2008. The gelding’s making his 5* debut, but he comes to Burghley with Olympic, World and European Championship experience under his cinch. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

They come dead straight up the center line and halt perfectly square for 8s across the board. William thought it deserved better, but it’s a great start. This is such a classy, elegant horse and Nicolas is really able to show that off in the trot work. The horse is in a lovely outline and is clearly soft and supple – a smattering of 8s coming in for the early part of the test.

The halt at C gets an 8 and a 9 and the reinback is clean and accurate for an 8 and two 7.5s. There’s more relaxation on show in the extended walk and Absolut Gold looks very confident and happy. They navigate the pirouettes very neatly, very solid for 7s and 7.5s on the whole. The transition to trot is light and smooth and scores two 8s.

There are so many highlights in this test which is showing a horse that’s very established in his work and confident in his rider; they really are working as a team and producing a very clear and accurate test. The first two changes come up spot on and there’s an 8 in the scores. The final change is very good and scores an 8, 7.5 and 6.5 – that’s worth double, as is the first change in the test. The final halt is solid and Nicolas is clearly super happy with his horse, lots of pats going on.

A great start to their Burghley with two 8s and and 8.5 for the harmony mark really showing what a confident and harmonious picture this pair have made in the Main Arena. A superb score for them coming in.

Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold HDZ score 26.1.

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9:15am ET

🇬🇧 Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight

🧬 Bicton 5* winner, Chilli Knight’s sire is the former William Fox-Pitt 5* ride Chilli Morning, who was the first stallion to win a European top-level event when he became Badminton champ in 2015. He’s still the only stallion to have won here 🧱 Gemma also competes on the international 5* show jumping circuit. This brave lady took on the big red wall in the Puissance class at London International in December. She’s also braved the enormous Hickstead bank when competing in the derby there. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Here for redemption after an unlucky 15 penalties out on cross country at Badminton kept them from taking the title, Gemma and ‘Alfie’ are in it to win it.

It’s game face on for Gemma as she comes into the ring and gets her Burghley underway with an 8, 7.5 and 7 for the first halt. Alfie’s such a good looking horse and really shows off his supple body and self-carriage in the early trot work. He’s clearly trying very hard for Gemma and looks to be confident in his work. He’s working in a good outline and has a happy expression on his face.

The halt at C is excellent for two 8s and the reinback is clean for two 7s. They move off into walk and Alfie stays relaxed and steps out nicely for 7s across the board. The first pirouette is clean and tidy, as is the second. The half-pass in trot is very nice and the transition to canter is smooth.

There’s an 8 in the scores for a strong extended canter and we get the impression that Gemma’s riding for every single mark and Alfie’s doing his best to work with her. He’s not the flashiest horse we’ll see in the ring but he’s very confident. Unfortunately the one of the changes is late and scores 4s across the board but the final one scores an 8. The final halt is good enough for two 7s and a 7.5.

Gemma looks pleased with her boy and he looks very happy with his efforts as he walks out of the ring. They were a real picture of a partnership between horse and rider and have been rewarded with a sub-30 score. A job very nicely done.

Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight score 29.7.

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9:07am ET

🇬🇧 Wills Oakden and A Class Cooley

👚 Wills loves to do the laundry and is in total charge of the washing machine at home 🥒 He also enjoys pickleball (sounds delicious). This pair are looking for their first 5* completion here at Burghley but Wills’ is no stranger to great finishes at the top level – he was 12th at Badminton in the spring.

Today’s Test:

‘Felix’ looked total class at the horse inspection on Wednesday and he’s sure looks stunning today in the Burghley sunshine.

They get off to a great start with a square halt although the immobility isn’t quite there – two 8s and a 6.5 to get them going. They set off into a lovely, rhythmical trot and looks to be very relaxed and happy as he strides across the ring in extended. He’s supple and secure in his carriage and there’s nice expression in his lateral work.

The halt at C isn’t square behind and the reinback is a bit crooked – 6s across the board for that. They move into walk and Felix really shows his relaxation. It’s not the biggest of walks though and scores 6s and a 7. There’s a little tension bubbling under in the pirouette and Felix is blowing a bit as he trots back before the canter transition.

They get a smooth transition but the relaxation’s not quite there in the same way it was earlier in the test. The first change is solid for 7.5s across the board. The change on the center line happened but is a little extravagant and scores a 5, 5.5 and 6 but he next one is much better for two 7s. There’s definitely a bit more tension creeping in as he nears the end of his test, but overall this has been a very solid test and Felix is obviously very happy and secure in his work.

There’s a cheer from the Wills fanclub in the stands as he scores a PB at the level. A great start to their Burghley.

Wills Oakden and A Class Cooley score 30.6.

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9am ET

🇳🇿 Monica Spencer and Artist

🎨 Artist sure does take a pretty picture 🏇 ‘Max’ is racing-trained but didn’t actually race – he switched sides early on. Monica has had him since he was a four-year-old after seeing him at his first show and promptly buying him. This pair were seventh at Maryland last year and seventh at Kentucky in the spring. Monica will be hoping for another great placing over on the other side of the pond. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Today’s Test:

Getting things back underway following the lunch/breakfast break, Monica and ‘Max’ are ready to do their thang. Six-time Burghley winner William Fox-Pitt is in the commentary box this afternoon.

They come up the center line super straight but unfortunately the halt isn’t quite on the line, although it’s square and so it rewarded with an 8 and two 7s. Max really is a smart horse, as noted by William, who quite fancies a go on him himself. Lots of marks coming in at the beginning of their test – 8s and 7.5s in abundance – really showing just how relaxed and supple Max is in his trot work and what a great picture we’re seeing as they trot round the ring.

The score three 8s for the halt at C and there’s another 8 in the marks for the reinback. The walk is soft and swinging and there’s an 8 and a 7.5 in the marks for the change of rein. The pirouettes are very neat and tidy and they make a super transition into trot for two 8s.

They strike off into an equally impressive canter and Monica is brave in the extended with a 9 coming in as her reward. This really is shaping up to be a super confident, smart test. The first change is solid but then, oh no, the bell rings for an error of course. Monica shakes her head as she comes back round for the serpentine. She gets right back on it though and the next change is excellent with an 8 in the scores. What a picture of harmony this pair are making in the Main Arena, a real pleasure to watch.

There’s a 10 for the final halt!

Monica looks a little upset with herself for going the wrong way, but this test was truly wonderful overall. Such a shame they lost a couple of marks there but what a performance and into joint third they go.

Monica Spencer and Artist score 24.4.

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We’re heading into the lunch break now / breakfast if you’re over in the US.

Here’s a look at how things stand after a bit of a shake up of the leaderboard after this morning’s competition:

1️⃣ Holding onto her first place from yesterday is Ros Canter with Izilot DHI on a score of 19.9.
2️⃣ They were first to go today and slotted straight into second, Emily King and Valmy Biats are on a score of 24.1.
3️⃣ And rounding out the top three as things stand, is Oliver Townend with Cooley Rosalent on 24.4.

Click here for the full scoreboard.

Just a reminder that the scores directly following each test are provisional. I’ve updated the ones from this morning below.

Back in just under 90 minutes, at 9am ET.

🇺🇸 We’ll see the last of the US competitors after the break when Andew McConnon and Wakita 54 enter the ring at 9:30am.

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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7:26am ET

🇬🇧 Rose Nesbitt and EG Michealangelo

🌹 Rose in rose. She says ‘Jack’ is a special lad who just loves the big events where he can show off 🚢 Also, Jack and Rose. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

We’ll be heading into the lunch/breakfast break after Rose’s test.

Our final pair of the mornin g come up the center line and ‘Jack’ looks very impressive as he trots round the ring. He’s so powerful and supple and is obviously really listening to Rose. Karen in the commentary box agrees and notes the horse’s great presence in the ring. There are lots of 7s and 7.5s coming in for the early trot work and an 8 for the extended.

The halt at C isn’t square but the reinback is clean although they lose a couple of marks for lack of straightness. They move off into walk and Jack shows his relaxation and lovely long stride across the diagonal and scores an 8 and an 8.5 for the change of rein. The pirouette is a bit sticky but the second one is better.

They strike off into canter and Jack still seems to be super rideable. This pair really are working in harmony. They catch the board in the extended but that doesn’t bother Jack at all. The first two changes are beautiful, they’re clearly established and Jack is very comfortable and confident in his work. This is a very pleasant watch thus far. The final two changes are equally accurate. There are a couple of walk steps into the final halt but it’s brilliantly square for an 8 from the judge at C.

Rose looks delighted and so she should be. Jack’s been relaxed throughout and really listened to her. What a lovely pair they make. A solid clear round and a very good start to their Burghley.

Rose Nesbitt and EG Michealangelo score 30.9.

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7:19am ET

🇳🇿 Jesse Campbell and Cooley Lafitte

⚡ When he was 21, Jesse was one of nine event riders selected for the New Zealand Eventing High Performance Squad to be based in the UK. He was the youngest rider selected. Mark Todd was also on the squad 🤩 He trained with Mark Todd and worked for Andrew Nicholson. This pair finished 15th at Badminton in the spring. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Jesse’s at Burghley for the first time after making his Badminton debut in the spring. He’s wearing purple and white ribbons in honor of his wife, Georgie, who’s surely right there riding with him.

They come up the center line and don’t have the start he’d have hoped but he pushes forward and they set off into a nicely balanced trot. Unfortunately there’s a break into canter as they come along the diagonal and it’s clear that Cooley Lafitte’s feeling the atmosphere.

The halt at C isn’t quite immobile and the reinback’s a little sticky. The tension continues in the walk, which is a bit sticky, and Jesse uses his outside hand (which the judges can’t see) to give him a little pat. The pirouettes are tentative but Jesse makes them happen.

They go back into trot and we can see that this horse really does have the potential for lovely movement if it wasn’t for the tension bubbling away. He anticipates the canter transition but seems to settle a bit once he gets there and the scores go up accordingly. Jesse’s really riding so sympathetically and things are coming together for the pair as this test goes on. The flying changes show up the tension though. The final one doesn’t happen and Jesse brings the horse back to trot before going back into canter and asking again. That was really well ridden.

He comes back round to the center line and looks disappointed, but he’s really ridden brilliantly in tricky circumstances with an excited horse. In fact, there was a whole lot of potential on show from Cooley Lafitte, but the big Burghley atmosphere was a little much this morning.

Jesse Campbell and Cooley Lafitte score 41.1.

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7:11am ET

🇮🇪 Padraig McCarthy and Lady Ophelia

⭐ Lady Ophelia’s making her 5* debut at Burghley having been brought up through the levels by Padraig, racking up a bunch of cross country clears along the way. The first phase is a little more unpredictable with scores from the mid-30s to the mid-40s – what’ll it be in the Burghley Main Arena?

Today’s Test:

There’s a little wiggle up the center line and the halt’s slightly off the mown strip, but this mare really does look beautiful and elegant as she sets off in trot around the ring. Everything’s a little conservative in the early part of their test, but accurate and Lady Ophelia’s working nicely for Padraig.

The halt at C isn’t quite square behind and the reinback isn’t quite straight – 6.5s and 6s for those two movements. They go into walk and it’s much of the same, rhythmical and relaxed but not the big movements we see for the top marks. The pirouettes are accurate and they move into the short trot section before the canter, navigating the lateral work smoothly.

They go into canter and Lady Ophelia decides she can’t wait for a bathroom break, but it doesn’t affect her rhythm. Padraig’s riding for every mark in this test, really showing off the horse he has. The changes on the serpentine are very established and score in the 7s. They come back around to the center line in a nicely balanced half circle and halt square for two 7s and a 7.5. Overall this has been a sweet test and a nice picture of a horse trying hard for her rider and happy in her work.

Padraig McCarthy and Lady Ophelia score 33.9.

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7:04am ET

🇨🇭 Nadja Minder and Toblerone

🍫 Not only does this tasty gelding have a yummy show name, but his stable name is a real treat too – I mean, who doesn’t want a little ‘Schoggeli’ (translation: chocolate) in the barn? 🪜 This pair have been together since Young Riders; they’ve been to World and European championships, 5*s and were traveling reserves for the Swiss Olympic team. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Nadja’s been based with Badminton and Burghley winner Piggy March in preparation for this week, not a bad call. They sure look pro as they come up the center line into an excellent square halt for two 8s and a 7. They set off into trot and really do create a lovely picture. Toblerone is soft and really listening to Nadja and there are lots of 6.5s and 7s coming in for them.

The halt at C is very good and rewarded with to 8s and a 7.5. There’s another 8 for the reinback. They set out into a very relaxed walk. Everything’s quiet and accurate and they navigate the pirouettes well with 7s in the scores for the first and an 8 and a 7.5 for the second, a great job by this pair.

They get a smooth transition into canter and Toblerone looks to be rideable and happy in his work. This pair’s partnership is clear for all to see as they canter round the Main Arena at Burghley. There’s an 8 in the scores for the second change and 7s for the others. Toblerone’s very comfortable in what’s being asked of him and is a picture of confidence in these difficult movements.

Nadja looks delighted at the end of that test and Toblerone gets huge pats. He has a good scratch on his knee before walking out of the ring and looking round as the crowd as Nadja keeps the pats going. Overall this was a lovely picture of a horse and rider working in harmony, total trust and respect flowing between the two. Lovely work.

Nadja Minder and Toblerone score 31.

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6:56am ET

🇳🇿 Lauren Innes and Global Fision M

🧮 In her other life Lauren’s a full-time accountant – ‘Flipper’, Lauren’s only upper-level horse, spends his days in the field while Lauren’s at work ⏩ You may think you’ve seen Lauren down as a British rider in the past, and you’d be right – last season, she swapped nationality, taking on her father’s Kiwi status. 👑 Regardless, she dressed for the occasion at the Coronation edition of Badminton last year. Photo by Eventing Nation.

Today’s Test:

‘Flipper’ was super spicy at the horse inspection on Wednesday, obviously feeling every bit of the Burghley atmosphere. Let’s hope he’s settled ready for today. He sure looks beautiful as he shines in the sunshine this morning.

Flipper’s blowing a bit as he comes up the center line and trips into the first halt. He moves off nicely for Lauren though and is in a nice rhythm at the start of the trot work. He’s listening to Lauren and trying hard for her but he’s clearly excited. The extended trot is very nice and rewarded with two 7s. There’s a little fussiness in the mouth in the lateral movements but overall it’s good enough for 6s and 6.5s.

Flipper leaves a hind leg in the halt at C but the reinback is accurate and scores two 6.5s and a 7. They set off into walk and manage the long diagonal but there’s anticipation at the end and a little jiggy jog is under the surface. The pirouettes are tricky and there’s some head shaking going on which turns into a difficult time for Lauren as they canter the trot work; that’s so expensive with a 1 and a 2 in the marks for the half-pass. They go into canter proper and he seems happier but Lauren’s got a job on her hands. She’s really riding brilliantly and showing that she knows this horse inside out.

The excitement continues to brew as the test comes into the final stages but Lauren holds everything together. She asks the crowd not to clap as she halts for the end of the test. She walks out on a long rein and really, for how excited Flipper is, this test had some very nice moments. This is a pair who are in it to win it in the cross country. A tricky morning but actually, Lauren salvaged every mark she could and Flipper did try hard for her.

Lauren Innes and Global Fision M score 42.2.

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6:49am ET

🇱🇹 Aistis Vitkauskas and Commander VG

🧶 Aistis goes cross country in a hat silk knitted by his grandma. Commander VG is making his tenth 5* start this week. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Kicking things back off is Lithuania’s Aistis and his sweet gelding Commander VG. US eventing star Karen O’Connor’s in the commentary box for this session.

Commander VG got really quite hot in the Main Arena at Badminton so let’s hope that he’s feeling a bit more settled this morning. He has a little look round in the halt but he’s quickly got his mind in the game as they set off into trot. He looks rideable and there’s a real push from behind in the extended trot. There’s a bit of tail swishing going on but he seems to be soft and is trying really hard for Aistis.

The immobility is very tentative in the halt and the reinback is a bit rushed for 6s across the board. They set off into a relaxed enough walk and score two 7s for the change of rein. There’s a slight stutter in the first pirouette and the second is a little sticky and scores two 4.5s and a 5.

They get a clean canter transition and Aistis is brave in the extended for 7s in the scores. This really is a very nicely settled test for this horse thus far, although a bit of excitement comes out in the first change and the second is late behind. But Aistis is making things happen and Commander VG is staying with him on the whole. They overshoot the center line for the final halt but Aistis looks very pleased with his horse’s efforts.

Overall this pair have done a good job in a tricky phase for them. They’ll very much be looking forward to tomorrow.

Aistis Vitkauskas and Commander VG score 40.8.

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I informed you thusly that we were in for a big day of dressage; it’s not even lunch yet and we’ve seen some cracking sport. We’re heading into a short break now. Back in just over 15 minutes, at 6:49am ET.

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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6:24am ET

🇳🇿 Jonelle Price and Grappa Nera

🍇 Jonelle’s been third, fourth and fifth at Burghley, will Pau winner ‘Grape’ take her to the top this time around? Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

We’ll be heading into a break after Jonelle’s test.

There’s not a hoof outside the mown strip as they come up the center line although ‘Grape’ rested her hind leg in the halt which proves to be expensive. Jonelle’s so pro though and pushes on into trot without giving it another thought for now. The beginning of the trot work is elegant and supple but there’s a break of rhythm in the extended which is another expensive mistake. Again, they get things straight back together and the scores improve significantly. There’s an 8 and two 7.5s for the halt and the reinback is clean and deliberate.

Grape shows good swing in the walk and Jonelle rides the preparation for the pirouette masterfully, so deliberate and accurate. They transition into trot and show a very good bend in the half-pass before striking off into canter. Jonelle pushes for the extended and is rewarded with two 7.5s and a 7. The first change is clean enough for two 6s and Jonelle is clearly riding the horse that’s underneath her to bring out the best in the mare. The tension’s creeping in though and coming out in the changes; they’re very expensive.

They finish up with a nice square halt and a slightly rueful smile from Jonelle. This horse has everything to really deliver in this phase, but that first halt kind of set them up for some expensive mistakes today. Grape stretches her neck as she ambles out of the ring. Slightly frustrating for Jonelle, but the best bit’s to come.

Jonelle Price and Grappa Nera score 37.6.

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6:17am ET

🇬🇧 Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent

🏆 Kentucky champ and Maryland third place finisher ‘Rosie’ comes forward for her first 5* on British soil. Will her homeland prove to be as successful a hunting ground? Photo by Sally Spickard.

Today’s Test:

Boy did ‘Rosie’ look ready to run at the horse inspection on Wednesday, very nearly taking Oliver with her as she took off down the jog strip. She looks much more settled as she makes her way round the ring waiting for the bell.

They are dead straight up the center line, totally meaning business. Nicola in the commentary box says it’s the straightest entry we’ve seen and they get their Burghley underway with a 9 for the first halt. Ooo, Rosie’s showing her class in the early trot work. She’s strong and expressive and looks to be so very confident in her work. Lots of 8s coming in at the early stage of this test.

The halt at C is better than the first – two 9s and a 10!!! THE FIRST 10 WE’VE SEEN!

Rosie’s walk is so balanced and rhythmical and Oliver’s able to keep the pirouettes small. There’s a bit of stickiness in the second though and it affects the transition into trot, but Oliver puts it behind him and they get a smooth transition into canter. They’re brave in the extended for two 8s and and 8.5 and Rosie shows her suppleness in the half-pass. But, oh those changes. The first is muddled and scores 4s across the board but the next two are clean and accurate and there’s a 7 in the marks. The final change is super, 8s across the board for that.

They finish up with another great halt for two 9s and Oliver looks suitably pleased. What an exciting young horse this is. She’s been confident and relaxed in the Main Arena and so solid and happy in her work. That first change was expensive but they’re right up there in terms of the leaderboard. Is Oliver back for another Burghley win? With this girl, and this start, there’s every chance. They go into third.

Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent score 24.4.

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6:09am ET

🇫🇷 Gireg Le Coz and Aisprit De La Loge

Fresh from supporting the silver medal winning French team in Paris as traveling reserve, this combination had an excellent thirteenth place finish at Badminton last year, when conditions out on course, and in the show jumping ring, and well, even the dressage arena, were, if you will, particularly tricky 💗 Gireg gives massive credit to his horse’s extraordinary honesty, a wonderful quality to have in any horse, particularly a 5* partner. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Gireg was suitably suave with a very dapper collar on his jacket at the horse inspection on Wednesday. His dress is a bit more subdued for his dressage test.

They come up the center line slightly off the mown strip and score a 7.5, 7 and 6.5 for the first halt. Gireg’s really riding the early trot work with confidence and showing off the expression and swing this horse has. This horse looks very happy in his work and there are lots of 7.5s coming in.

They’re just short of the center line for the halt at C but it’s lovely and square and gets 8s across the board. The reinback is very good for another 8. They set off into a very relaxed walk, taking the frame out in the extended and showing a nice swing. They keep a good rhythm through the pirouettes and score an 8 for the first one. There’s a little bit of anticipation before the trot transition but Gireg holds him and they show an expressive half-pass. Gireg pushes for the extended and is rewarded with a 9.

This horse is so obviously established in his work and well within himself. There are 8s in the marks for the flying changes. Everything is so uphill and effortless, a real joy to see a horse so comfortable and happy in his work. A pleasure from start to finish, a brilliant performance from both horse and rider. They’ve delivered the best ever dressage score for France at Burghley and go into third. This competition sure is spicy!

Gireg Le Coz and Aisprit De La Loge score 25.3.

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6:02am ET

🇺🇸 Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M

🗞️ Hannah completed her first 5* at Kentucky in 2007 with a hose she’d found in the classified ads when she was 13. ✈️ This is Chito’s first event outside North America. He was fourth at Maryland last season. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Today’s Test:

Hannah and ‘Chito’ really are a picture as they canter up the center line. Chito takes the opportunity for a toilet break in the halt. They’re off to a great start with two 8s and a 7.5. Chito’s so balanced and rhythmical in his trot work and Hannah’s really showing him off. There are lots of 7s and a smattering of 8s coming in for them.

The halt at C isn’t quite square and the steps in the reinback could have been cleaner, but they set off into a relaxed enough walk. The pirouette is soft and supple and scores two 7s and a 7.5 and there’s more nice bend in the second for the same scores. The transition into trot is rewarded with 7.5s across the board.

They set off into canter and make an elegant picture together, they’re really working as a partnership and Hannah’s clearly riding for every mark. The first change is solid for 7s across the board but then there’s seems to have been an error of course as Hannah moves into walk, although the buzzer didn’t sound, Hannah seems to have picked up on it before the judges. That’s a real shame when things were going so well. It’s worth mentioning again that this is a brand new test for the riders. She gets back on track though and finishes up on a very positive note with three 8s for the final halt. This would have gone sub-30 had it not been for that error. Chito looks happy as he walks out of the ring on a loose rein.

Frustrating, but still a great score going into cross country.

Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M score 30.7.

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🇦🇺 Sophia Hill and Humble Glory

5:54am ET

🏇 OTTB ‘Hughie’ has a short, unsuccessful racing career behind him but it’s all eyes on the future as he takes on Burghley, a feat made possible by the remortgaging of Sophia and her husband’s house – you gotta go all in when it comes to making dreams come true. He’s looked impressive on British soil thus far this season – eyes on for a leaderboard climb as the weekend progresses – he finished on his dressage for a podium place at Adelaide and his blood sure does show in his speedy cross country rounds 👀

Today’s Test:

This pair get their start off with a halt just off the center line for two 6s and a 6.5 and then set off into trot. He’s mouthing a bit and Nicola Wilson in the commentary box (who they’ve been based with) explains that they’ve been trying out a double bridle over the last few weeks to see if it helps the horse in this phase.

Sophia’s riding for every mark as they navigate the trot work accurately and they show excellent immobility in the halt for a 7.5. The reinback is accurate enough for 7s across the board. The walk starts out well but there’s some anticipation as they head into the pirouettes and Humble Glory gets a little stuck in the second. They move off into trot smoothly but the horse gets a bit tight in the half-pass as the underlying tension still bubbles away.

They get a smooth strike off into canter and the horse seems to be settling into his work. They produce a very clean, accurate change after the half-pass and are rewarded with two 7s and a 6.5. He’s really staying rideable for Sophia and she’s making the most of every movement. He gets a little tight before the final change but the change itself comes up nicely. They halt and there’s a huge smile from Sophia. The horse has tried so hard for her this morning and Sophia’s ridden him very sympathetically. Look out for them tomorrow, they’re so quick that if you blink, you’ll miss ’em!

Sophia Hill and Humble Glory score 36.9.

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5:47am ET

🇬🇧 Emma Thomas and Icarus X

🧨 Fireworks alert! ‘Stix’ is known for being a difficult ride, particularly on the flat – he put down a 51.2 at Badminton in the spring 🎹 Also, as well as eventing, Emma’s also a whizz on the piano. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

‘Stix’ sent the judge flying as he galloped down the jog strip at the horse inspection on Wednesday. Let’s hope he’s settled since then.

Stix’s tail is flying as he canters up the center line. He looks very alert in the first halt. Emma looks serious. She’s got a job on her hands here. He may be lit up but he’s so expressive and you can really see his talent. The extended shows off his scope and power and he is showing an elegant presence, just with a lot of excitement bubbling under the surface.

He looks to be settling as they move through their test and Emma’s doing a really good job. The tension is highlighted in a very quick reinback and the scores dip from in the 6s on the whole to a 4, 5 and 5.5. He really uses his body in the walk and Emma holds onto what looks to be an awful lot of horse underneath her. The pirouettes are actually rather good and score in the 6s. The transition into trot is very good for 7s across the board but there’s a bit of a wobble in the half-pass. They go into canter and he stays with Emma, she obviously can’t push in the extended but he comes back to her nicely. He really is trying very hard for her.

The tension comes out in the changes, they’re clean but a big ask for an excited horse. Emma’s ridden this horse masterfully and really shown the depth of their relationship. The final halt is good enough for a 7. Emma’s held it together so well and there’s obviously a bunch of potential in this phase for the horse, he’s just too excited about being at Burghley. He’s having a good look round as he leaves the ring, taking it all in and looking very pleased that so many people have come to see him.

Emma Thomas and Icarus X score 39.1.

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5:39am ET

🇳🇿 Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier

🏆 Caroline and ‘Cav’ were incredibly popular Badminton winners in the spring, and Caroline’s also won Burghley, back in 2010 with the late, great Lenamore. Fun fact 🤩 she groomed for top-level eventer, turned commentator, turned course builder Ian Stark at the Atlanta Games in 1996. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Today’s Test:

We’re back after the break with this year’s Badminton champs – in fact, there are three 5* winners in this session alone. Boy this competition is stacked.

‘Cav’ looked supremely ready to play as she pranced down the jog strip at the horse inspection on Wednesday. She traveled to Paris as reserve so is truly match fit and ready to run. Just a small matter of the dressage first though, please Cav.

They come dead straight up the center line and Caroline laughs a little as Cav fiddles a bit in the halt, although it’s good enough for an 8 and two 7.5s. Cav sure does look special as she sets off into the early trot work. Caroline’s very brave in the extended and there’s a slight loss of balance in the step over the X mark, but with great risk comes great reward even if it doesn’t always come off.

The halt at C is excellent and scores two 8s. The reinback is accurate and they set off into a bold walk. Cav’s blowing a bit through her nose and there’s clearly excitement brewing as Caroline collects her for the first pirouette. The second one is very good for a 7.5 and 7s. They’re smooth into the trot and then get a clean strike off into canter. Caroline pushes for the extended and is rewarded this time with an 8.5 and an 8.

They’re very straight in the change and it’s exactly on her aids – that scores two 7.5s and a 7 and there’s an 8 in the scores for the first change on the serpentine. Quite a few 8s coming in for them. The changes are all solid and truly established and there’s an 8 in the scores. The final halt scores two 9s.

What a test. Caroline went for it and there’s a 9 and an 8 in the harmony marks. What a performance for them. They go into a very well-deserved third place. Like I said in the into to this morning, we’ll seeing brave riding as the competitors really go for it and Caroline absolutely stepped up to the mark. Superb sport.

Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier score 25.4.

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We’re heading into a short break now. Back in just over 15 minutes, at 5:39am ET.

🇺🇸 We’ll see the first of today’s US competitors after the break when Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M enter the ring at 6:02am.

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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5:15am ET

🇬🇧 Alice Casburn and Topspin

🎾 All the Casburn homebreds have tennis-related names and Topspin is a second generation homebred who still lives in the stable he was born in – Alice’s mom competed his grandmother. He’s known as ‘Spinach’ 🌱 at home. This pair have been 5th and 7th at Burghley and Alice will be gunning for another fabulous 5* finish. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

We’ll be heading into the first break after Alice’s test.

Alice is used to being the youngest competitor at these big events, what with being just 22, but this year she’s been pipped to the title by Tom Bird.

It’s a very serious Alice in the ring this morning as she aims to add another excellent Burghley result to her record. Topspin looks fabulous as he trots round the ring, he’s so powerful and balanced in his movement. He can get hot in this phase but he looks relaxed and happy in his work this morning.

The halt is secure at C and the reinback gets 6.5s across the board. They set off into walk and it’s a little tentative in places. As they make their way to the crowd-end of the arena the tension becomes clear. There’s a little jog and then he gets himself in a bit of a bother over the pirouettes – he’s stepping backwards and there’s the hint of a wave to the crowd from Spinach. But Alice knows this guy inside out. She sits quiet and encourages him forward. The marks have nosedived for those movements but Alice puts it behind them and they move into trot, and then canter.

The tension’s clearly brewing under the surface in the canter work and Alice is doing an excellent job of making things happen. There are 7s coming in for some of the lateral work and they finish up with two 7s and a 7.5 in a job well done by Alice for pulling that test back round. She breathes a big sigh of relief as she salutes, and smiles. This test has absolutely been a testament to the relationship between horse and rider, of knowing your horse and working with them and supporting them. Some really lovely work, some tense moments. Great job Alice, such a young rider showing such a mature ride.

Alice Casburn and Topspin score 36.6.

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5:07am ET

🇮🇪 Sarah Ennis and Grantstown Jackson

🤿 The water complexes out on course won’t phase Sarah – when she’s not on horseback she loves to sail and is a qualified Dive Master. This pair were in it to win it in a very good place coming into the final phase at Badminton in the spring, but a very expensive show jumping round saw them finish 17th once all was said and done. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Grantstown Jackson really is an impressive picture as he makes his way around the ring waiting for the bell. He’s so bold and beautiful, a real event horse. They come up the center line and there’s a bit of a wobbly step into the halt, but Sarah’s got her game face on and she kicks on into trot. There’s another tiny stumble in the half-pass but they keep their concentration and Sarah pushes in the extended and shows off all of Grantstown Jackson’s scope and power. We don’t have scores again, sorry.

The halt at C is solid and the reinback is accurate for two 7s and a 7.5 (they’re back). The walk is relaxed and powerful and there’s an 8 in the marks for the change of rein, although Grantstown Jackson is shaking his tail slightly and goes a bit stiff in the pirouettes. They get a clean transition to canter and there’s more opportunity for Sarah to show off the horse’s power in the extended. He anticipates the first change and it happens early but the two subsequent ones are clean. The final one is a little late behind though.

Overall this has really shown a horse and rider working together, the horse has really tried for Sarah and there’s clearly a lot of potential in this phase. But truly, this guy is a cross country dream – don’t miss him on Saturday. We can see what a great job they both did in the ring as he spooks and shoots forward when he leaves the arena. Onward to cross country!

Sarah Ennis and Grantstown Jackson score 34.5.

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5am ET

🇬🇧 Tom McEwen and CHF Cooliser

🥇 Fresh from winning Olympic team gold, World No. 1 Tom brings Pau and Luhmuhlen runner-up ‘Eliza’ back to Burghley after finishing just outside the top-10 last year. 👶 Tom sure has been a busy boy of late, having got married at the end of last season and now there’s a mini McEwen on the way. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Already a winner at this year’s Burghley, Tom rocked the flat cap (in favor of his Olympic bucket hat) at the first horse inspection and was named best dressed male by Fairfax & Favor.

Tom’s got his game face on as he canters dead straight up the mown strip on the center line and halts square. A great start for them. Unfortunately we seem to have lost the scores off the screen so I can’t bring them to you right now.

This mare really looks impressive as she trots round the ring, so bright and supple, and very impressive in the extended trot which Tom really pushes for. The halt at C is very nearly square but Cooliser wasn’t happy about going backwards and only gives Tom four steps not five – that was expensive for two 4s and a 3 (the scores are back). The walk work is quiet and balanced and the first pirouette is so well done and is rewarded with two 7.5s and an 8; the second one is almost as good for 7.5s across the board. Tom’s brave in the extended canter and scores three 8s. Cooliser is really working with Tom and this pair look confident as they present their test this morning.

Unfortunately this first change is a little muddled but Tom puts it behind him and pushes on. The rest are also a little expensive. Overall this test has really shown off Cooliser; there were some excellent highlights and a couple of expensive mistakes that Tom will no doubt be working on over the winter.

Tom McEwen and CHF Cooliser score 31.2.

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4:52am ET

🇳🇱 Andrew Heffernan and Harthill Phantom

A man with many hats 🤠 As well as riding at the top level, Andrew’s also National Coach for the Netherlands. He’s back at Burghley with Harthill Phantom after retiring out on course last year on the gelding’s CCI5* debut and Andrew’s first time at the level since 2017. He’ll be hoping for a solid completion this time around.

Today’s Test:

Andy and Harthill Phantom come up the center line of a sun-soaked ring. The immobility isn’t there in the halt and they start off with two 5s and a 6. They set off into a balanced trot. This horse really has such clean and clear steps, showing off the horse’s suppleness and balance. Lots of 7s coming in for them at the early part of their test.

The halt at C isn’t quite square behind but they hold the immobility this time – two 6.5s and an 8 are the scores for that. The reinback is clean and accurate and scores 7s across the board. Harthill Phantom is very relaxed in the walk and Andy encourages him to take the contact forward. The first pirouette is rather stiff and then the second one prompts the horse to anticipate the trot transition. Andy gets him back straight away though.

They go into canter but the bell rings for an error of course. That’s so unfortunate. He circles back round to do the extended canter, which is excellent for an 8 and two 7s. The scores have gone up now that Harthill Phantom’s in canter, although there’s a little tightness in the first change, it’s clean enough for 7s across the board though. There’s some tension creeping in as the tests nears the end but Andy’s holding everything together with all of his experience.

There was a lot of good stuff going on it this test, but unfortunately a couple of expensive errors and that penalty for going the wrong way. They end on an 8 and two 7.5s for the final halt though. We can see the excitement Andy’s been holding in check as the horse jogs out of the ring. Cross country tomorrow!

Andrew Heffernan and Harthill Phantom score 33.5.

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4:45am ET

🇬🇧 Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy

Here’s Will 🙋‍♂️ and ‘William’ 🐴 – yep, that’s right, this gelding is known as William to his pals, because that’s not confusing at all. Anyway, William made his 5* debut at Badminton and finished top-25. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Will was particularly nattily dressed at the horse inspection on Wednesday, looking every bit the gentleman of yesteryear. He’s gone with more traditional riding attire for his test this morning.

Will looks incredibly serious as he sets out this morning. ‘William’ (horse) is really leggy and elegant and they make a nice picture as they trot round the ring. He knocks himself slightly in the extended trot but it doesn’t bother him and he shows his bold stride which’ll surely come in handy tomorrow.

The halt’s marked as an 8 and two 5s and then the reinback is a little stiff and scores a 7, 6 and 5.5. The horse starts off in walk nicely relaxed and the pirouettes are accurate enough for 7s in the scores. They strike off into canter and the relaxation continues. Will pushes for the extended and scores in the 7s. This pair clearly have so much potential in this phase. The first change is excellent for two 7.5s and a 7 but unfortunately the second is a bit muddled, that was expensive for 4s in the scores. The final change is 7s across the board though.

He loses his balance a bit in the final halt but there’s a big cheer from the crowd. There’s been a lot of promise shown in this test, lots to like and a solid start to their Burghley.

Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy score 32.

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4:37am ET

🇺🇸 Cosby Green and Copper Beach

🤩 Cosby made the trip from the US to the UK with three of her horses last season to be based with Team Price. Since then she’s completed at Badminton and finished 16th at Pau. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Copper Beach looks beautiful as the early morning sun shines off his chestnut coat. They get off to a solid start with 7s and a 7.5 for the first halt. There’s some tail swishing going on in the trot work but Copper Beach looks relaxed on the whole and there are 6.5s and 7s coming in for the early part of their test. The extended trot is a little hurried but he’s soft and supple in the lateral work and is being rewarded for that in the scores.

The halt at C scores 7s and a 7.5 and the rein back is very clean. This horse has got a great walk, lots of swing and relaxation and really stepping through – he scores two 8s and a 7.5 for the walk change of rein. He’s a smidge stiff in the pirouettes but they’re clean.

They strike off into canter and this guy shows all of his experience in the first change and scores two 7.5s and a 7. There’s lots of established and confident work on show from this pair across the entire test. Copper Beach anticipates the halt at the end and Cosby smiles. It’s 4s across the board for the final halt but overall this test has been very impressive from both horse and rider and Cosy looks delighted as Copper Beach shows off to the crowd on the way out of the ring.

Cosby Green and Copper Beach score 31.6.

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4:30am ET

🇬🇧 Emily King and Valmy Biats

🏃 Emily’s hot to trot – she ran the London Marathon last year, raising money for The Brain and Spine Foundation. This pair were fourth at Badminton in the spring and are for sure ones to watch this week 👀 Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Getting things going today, Emily and ‘Val’ are in the ring and ready to start their Burghley. This pair really do have the potential to launch their challenge on the top of the leaderboard, so we really do have dressage excitement from start to finish today.

They start off with a tiny bit of unsteadiness in the halt, which was a shame as it had been beautifully square. Onward though for Emily, she’s put that straight behind her and is pulling in 7.5s and some 8s for the early trot work. Valmy’s really soft and supple and he’s really listening to Emily and looks happy in the ring this morning.

They go past the marker slightly in the halt at C and the marks drop a little in the reinback with two 6.5s. Emily rides the walk tactfully, and uses all of her experience in the pirouettes when Valmy starts to anticipate the movement. The marks are right up to 7.5s and 8s again as they go back into trot and there’s a 9, 8.5 and 8 for the extended canter when they get there.

There’s another 9 for the half-pass and two 8s for the change. This test is really showing off Valmy’s highlights and he’s so obviously comfortable and established in his work. The final halt is slightly off the line, but scores an 8, and Emily smiles at the end. It may be early but the crowd make a whole lot of noise for the supreme quality on show in the ring. A superb start to the day, a PB at the level and into second for Emily and Valmy Biats.

Emily King and Valmy Biats score 24.1.

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