What a view! The extraordinary façade of Burghley House will usher competitors home as they approach the eleventh hour — or fence 27, the Lion’s Bridge — on this year’s course. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
After a historic first phase which saw overnight leaders Tim Price and Vitali for New Zealand smash the sub-20 barrier and set a new Burghley record, posting the best non-championship 5* dressage score since records began with an 18.7, our focus now shifts to the Derek di Grazia track for cross country day at Defender Burghley.
First up, the numbers:
The track is 6325 meters long, a little shorter than in previous years, and therefore the optimum time of 11 minutes and 6 seconds is also a tad less than we’re used to. There are 29 numbered fences comprising of 45 jumping efforts. There are twelve combination fences: six doubles, four trebles and two with ABCD elements.
There are a number of famous fences scattered across the Burghley terrain; here’s a round-up of where you can expect them to come up on this year’s track:
There’s a double of rails in the Main Arena at 4AB before the horses and riders head out onto the course proper and come upon Defender Valley at 5ABCD. There’s an accuracy question at 5 with the top rail on a MIM clip; once they’re safely over that, it’s across the ditch and onto a chunky corner. They pass back through Defender Valley at fence 8, an enormous log stack that, at this level, they should all be taking in their stride.
The infamous Burghley Leaf Pit.
The infamous Leaf Pit comes early this year – at 7ABCD. It’s the first major question on course and there’s a very long way to go if things go awry here. Once the horses have navigated the massive drop, there’s a big oxer at C before a choice of left or right over one of the narrow, angled arms – there’s the possibility of a run out here for sure.
The first major water complex comes at 10ABC and 11AB – the Trout Hatchery. It’s a bit unusual to see a bounce into water, but that’s what we’ve got here at 10BC.
Aaaaand stretch: Joules at the Maltings provides another enormous challenge this year.
The instantly recognisable white rails are back at Joules at the Maltings, where we’ll find out what horses think of jumping hares at 4A before they take on the massive corners at BC. There’s quite a big change on the course here – one of the reasons the course is shorter than previous years. Derek has simplified it so that it’s a direct line – the usual circuitous route through this combination is no more. As well as shortening the course, it also means quicker progress along it, and Tina Cook thinks there are going to be some fast times this year because of the changes to this combination.
There’s also a big change on Winners’ Avenue. As well as the new plaque displaying the name of last year’s winners, Piggy March and Vanir Kamira, there’s a log set at a right angle after the Irish Horse Board Bank at 17AB that is a purely Derek addition. Instead of taking the Bank and galloping on along Winner’s Avenue, the riders will have to be on their A game with their steering to prevent horses from careering straight past. This is going to test whether the horses are listening to their riders. Adding to the conundrum is the fact that the log can be taken in either direction, with riders approaching either from the left or the right. Options, options… but neither isn’t one of them.
The Cottesmore Leap — never any less terrifying! Photo by Tilly Berendt.
The photo opportunity fence at Burghley is undoubtedly the Cottesmore Leap at 18. This comes at around nine minutes, when stamina and fitness will really kick in. There is an option here this year for anyone who doesn’t think it’s the best idea to take it on this time around.
We’re used to seeing skinnies on 5* courses – really skinny ones – but the triple bars at the Dairy Mound are super skinny. They come at 20BC and could easily cause a late glance off.
Then it’s through Capability’s Cutting at 22 and onto the Boodles Raindance at 24 and 25AB – the second major water complex on course. Derek’s advice to the riders here? Find your line and kick on. So there you go, easy, right?
The final element of the Boodles Raindance.
The horses will be running home by this point, and the riders will have to take care as they enter the water to go under the Lion Bridge to fence 27. There’s an option here: jump the fish in the water under the roof, or the fishing lodge on dry ground just up the rise.
The official charity of the year is Horatio’s Garden, an organization which creates gardens in spinal injury centers in the UK to help with the wellbeing and recuperation of patients and their families. Their fence comes at 28, and then it’s on to the Finale.
Overall, the course is being described as ‘much more Derek’. He designed the course last year but seems to have put his stamp on it a bit more clearly this year, whilst keeping it unmistakably Burghley.
The terrain is always a talking point here – it’s tough, it’s relentless, and it’s a true test of stamina and fitness, for both horse and rider, as Francis Whittington acknowledges: “Burghley is a track that even if you took all the fences away, the course would still be a really tough track.”
There are riders in the field who are very familiar with Derek di Grazia tracks, like Boyd Martin and Will Faudree, and 5* debutants facing the Burghley cross country for the first time — one thing they all agree on is that, it’s Burghley, and as Tom Crisp sagely puts it, “you’ve got to ride it like it’s the first time, every time”.
Our pathfinder will be Harry Meade, with the first of his three rides Away Cruising. They’re set to leave the start box at around 11.15am BST / 6.15am EDT.
The USA are firing on all cylinders, with all six combinations in the top 20 after the dressage, three of them in the top 10.
Boyd Martin and On Cue go out in sixth to get the American campaign across the country underway. Jennie Saville and FE Lifestyle are around the middle of the pack, followed around eight horses later by Will Faudree and Mama’s Magic Way. There’ll be two Americans out on course when Tiana Coudry and Cancaras Girl join Will a couple of slots later. Grace Taylor and Game Changer will come later on in the day and Boyd Martin will be chasing her round the track on his second ride Tsetserleg TSF. Jessie Phoenix and Wabbit go out 25th for Canada.
We’ll have to wait ‘til near the end to see how our overnight leaders, Tim Price and Vitali, get on across the country. We’ve got an exciting day’s action to look forward to, that’s for sure!
Want to follow along with the form of all the horses and riders setting out on cross country? Check out EN’s Form Guide for all the inside info.
Don’t forget to follow @goeventing and keep it locked onto EN for all the exciting news from this great event.
Defender Burghley Horse Trials Links: Website | Live Stream | Entries | Times and Scores | EN’s Coverage
EN’s coverage of Burghley is presented by Kentucky Performance Products. Click here to learn all about their full line of science-backed nutritional support products, including Neigh-Lox Advanced for digestive support.
The riders have had a good walk ‘round and chatted about it amongst themselves, mulling over options and lines and distances – where they can kick on and where they’ll have to sit up and focus.
Which rider is walking the course with their mom? What does a rider with 22 5* completions under their girth think of the track? And whose plan is “Plan A all the way”?
Here’s what they had to say:
The World No. 1 – Tim Price – is number 1 on the leaderboard. Photo by Libby Law.
Tim Price – Vitali – 1st – 18.7
What will our clubhouse leader and record breaker be doing to while away the long wait for his turn out on track?
“Watch a few, go and relax. Slow down the thinking, until you get into the start box and away you go.”
Indeed.
Oliver Townend sits in equal second, with himself. Photo by Libby Law.
Oliver Townend – Swallow Springs – 2nd – 24.2 / Ballaghmor Class – 3rd – 24.2 / Tregilder – 13th – 30.5
“I think it comes a little kinder, early on, but at the same time, it doesn’t lure you into a false sense of security — well, it might, but there’s plenty to do! It wouldn’t matter what they built out there — it’s the terrain at this place that makes it such a tough test.”
Tom McEwen thinks the course is “awesome”. Photo by Libby Law.
Tom McEwen – Toledo de Kerser – 4th – 25.6 / Luna Mist – 12th – 30.5
“I think it’s awesome. It’s a normal Burghley track, but for me — and this is not taking away from it, and I’m not saying it’s softer — but for me, it’s a kinder ride, as in, it’s not square oxer after square oxer with massive efforts. But at the same time, it’s a true five-star test; it’s Burghley terrain and a proper Burghley course.
It sort of walks smoother, but God, there’s some challenges all the way around and it’s going to be be accumulative all the way around. There’s probably not anything you walk up to and think, ‘how on earth am I going to jump that?!’ — but those corners at the Maltings [14ABC] are huge. I think there’s also a lot of head-scratching about the option with the Irish Bank on Winners’ Avenue [17AB], but that’s probably only because there is an option [to approach it from the left or the right] — if there wasn’t, people would just pop round it! Options always cause chaos.”
Boyd Martin’s one of the most experienced over Derek di Grazia tracks. Photo by Libby Law.
Boyd Martin (USA) – Tsetserleg TSF – 6th – 28.1 / On Cue – 16th – 31.8
Boyd has the benefit of being really quite familiar with Derek’s courses, in fact, Tsetserleg won the 4*-S at Bromont three weeks ago, jumping clear over the Derek track. So does Burghley have the same sort of Derek flavor Boyd’s used to?
“Yes and no. It’s pretty hard to replicate Burghley! There’s no Leaf Pit in America that Derek’s had a practice over.
They’re big jumps. To be honest, I’ve probably ridden more Derek courses than any rider here – I’m not sure it’s an advantage or not, but I’ll tell myself it is. I hope I can pull it off tomorrow.”
Will Faudree’s riding a high after his career best dressage score with Mama’s Magic Way. Photo by Libby Law.
Will Faudree (USA) – Mama’s Magic Way – 9th – 29.8
“It’s big. It’s Burghley. Derek is an amazing designer because we all walk it and there’s a lot to do. You have to think the whole way around.”
Will’s another rider with a lot of experience of Derek’s tracks. How does he think Burghley compares?
“The terrain here obviously plays a huge factor. I said earlier that Derek, he designs with the horse’s eye, but there’s always so many options within that directory. I think at Kentucky this year I only went Plan A at one or two combinations. You just have to react to what happens underneath you. Hopefully we’ll be on the same page and have a good go tomorrow.”
Harry Meade gives us the low-down on the real questions out on course. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Harry Meade – Tenareze – 11th – 30.1 / Cavalier Crystal – 21st – 32.2 / Away Cruising – 38th – 36
“There’s a nice variety of fences, and fence profiles, I think. It’ll be interesting to see — I think he [Derek] eases you in well with Defender Valley [5ABCD] and then the Leaf Pit [7ABCD], which will cause some problems, but possibly not as many as last year. I really like the Trout Hatchery [10ABC] – I think that’s very clear to horses. If you ride that well, it’s got a real flow to it and it’s very horse-friendly.
There’s a couple of questions which I think will be interesting to see how they ride: one is the bank to the log at Winners’ Avenue [19AB]. The log is ninety degrees, so you’re literally jumping towards the end of the log and putting in a little turn. That bank has grass on the top, and if you’re galloping at it, horses will jump it — you might get the odd one putting a foot on it. But if you come steadily to it, which you’re going to have to, I wouldn’t be surprised if horses do bank it. So you have to ask yourself the question — do you actually come in deliberately really slow, pop up onto it, and and then step down, or do you try and jump it, but then risk going a little bit quick? So I think that’ll be interesting.
I also think that the Dairy Mound [20ABC] – those triple bar arrowheads never ride that well; it doesn’t back them off. And they’ll get to the Dairy Mound in a very flat-footed way, because it’s the highest point in the course and they’re quite fatigued. So whether they’ll jump and travel on the open three strides to the first triple bar, which is really quite close to the down slope… When you have a down slope so soon afterwards, a bit like jumping into a coffin, they back off and they drop their front end onto it. That’s emphasized, particularly, by the fact that you’ve got those triple bars. If it was a solid fence, they’d be less likely to do that. So it’ll be interesting to see how that rides.
You can have problems anywhere around the course, but overall, I think it’s really well thought out and it’ll be a great challenge for us to get our teeth into.”
‘Socks’ is ears pricked and ready to go cross country with Zara Tindall. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Zara Tindall – Class Affair – 15th – 31.3
“Me and Pippa had a little walk around; I managed to get her to walk in under two hours! It’s great. I think it’s nice and flowing, and I think he’s [Derek] learnt a lot about the ground from last year and there’s some big combinations — hopefully I can get past fence seven [Leaf Pit] and then have a crack at the rest of it. That’d be great!” [Zara’s last two Burghley attempts – last year and in 2019 – has come to an early end at the Leaf Pit.]
Harry Mutch plans to go out there meaning business. Photo by Libby Law.
Harry Mutch – HD Bronze – 19th – 32.1 / Shanbeg Cooley – 57th – 44.8
“I had a walk yesterday and it’s absolutely massive. The lines are really strong. You’ve got to have a jumper all the way home — the fences don’t get any smaller. I feel confident on Shanbeg Cooley, but you never know what you’re going to get on the day, and he’s only nine so I have to treat him like a nine-year-old. We’ll see how he goes, but I have to almost think, ‘go out and attack’. He’s not on the best of scores, but actually, if I go out and think, ‘just get round’, I probably won’t see fence four. So I have to get out there and mean it.”
Opposites attract – Louise Harwood and her very tall friend, Native Spirit. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Louise Harwood – Native Spirit – 24th – 32.4
Louise is aiming for an immense 23rd 5* completion here this week!
“It’s big, as usual at Burghley. I think the questions are there for us to see and we know how many strides it’s going to be roughly — apart from, you have got the evil undulating ground, so you’ve got to be ready. You don’t ever know what will quite happen on the stridings. But [the fences] are big and it’s something to aim at, and yeah, hopefully I’ll be alright.”
David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed navigated the ups and downs of Kentucky in the spring. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
David Doel – Galileo Nieuwmoed – 25th – 33.7 / Ferro Point – 44th – 37.8
“It’s a big old track, and I think it’s a little bit fiddly at times. There’s a lot of turning back into fences. Derek’s really sort of opening you up in places, and then he gives you quite a tight 45-plus degree turn back onto yourself. It’s definitely a five-star track out there. The intensity is there fence after fence after fence. So that definitely shows, and I think if you drop even a couple of percent of your concentration, you’re going to have a bit of a whoopsy out there.
Galileo Nieuwmoed’s been up and down the hills at Kentucky, with the rolling hills, though it’s a little bit different, and Badminton has a few slopes there — but this will definitely test him that little bit more. He’s normally got a fabulous gallop, so it’s quite exciting to go out on him.”
Tom Crisp’s hoping for a dry day out on course. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Tom Crisp – Liberty and Glory – 26th – 33.9
We’re guessing Tom’s not planning on practicing his swimming here at Burghley — he got enough of that at Badminton, right?
“You can’t ever take a course like this for granted, and although Badminton was a huge disappointment, she [Liberty and Glory], came out of it really well. And Burghley is normally good to me, but you’ve got to ride it like it’s the first time, every time and respect the course all around, particularly this one because I think he’s [Derek] kept it strong all the way home. It’s a true test. Really.”
And after his swim in the Badminton Lake in the spring, what does he think about the drop into the water at the Boodles Raindance at fence 24 and 25AB?
“It isn’t a particularly forgiving fence, so the horses have to have enough jump in them at that stage. They’re going to be a bit leg weary coming down the hill and it’s a fence that needs ultimate respect. There’s a good four or six foot drop on the other side. But I’ve checked the water the temperature is good, so if it does come to another swim, I shall improve on my stroke.”
Ever the entertainer, and a true sportsman — although we loved your antics for the crowds at Badminton, Tom, we wish you a dry trip round Burghley.
Padraig McCarthy thinks “it’s going to be a great day of sport”. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Padraig McCarthy (IRE) – HHS Noble Call – 27th – 34.9
“I think it’s more technical than last year; I think maybe more horse friendly. I think this year we’ll see a lot of glance offs. I think Derek is really starting to put his mark on it, and normally we see in his courses problems all over the course — I think we’re going to see that tomorrow.
It’s a real five-star. I think some of the lines, like at the Maltings [14ABC], last year they were kind – you turned back to the corners – this year it’s a really committed five-star question. And it’s a bit all the way around like that.
I think it’s going be a great day of sport tomorrow. I’m lucky I’m sat on the horse I’m on.”
Wabbit’s ready to hop round the track with Jessie Phoenix. Photo by Libby Law.
Jessie Phoenix (CAN) – Wabbit – 29th – 34.9
“I sure have, and it looks like a Burghley! It is full on. It’s beautifully presented. I think the horses are going to go out and have a really great feel around there. I’m really thankful to be sitting on Wabbit because he’s such an incredible cross country horse, so I’m really looking forward to Saturday.”
Could this be the most beautiful horse in the world? ‘Prince’ had a great trip at Badminton with Francis Whittington, here’s hoping Burghley fares him just as well. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Francis Whittington – DHI Purple Rain – 31st – 34.9
“I had a quick look around the other day, and it’s an awful lot to jump out there. Burghley is a track that even if you took all the fences away, the course would still be a really tough track.
There’s a lot of fences there that are off the turn, off the angle or unsighted for the horse until the last minute, and that’s going to take a lot of riding, a lot of respect from the riders — but also giving horses time to understand it.
I think the questions coming home, like the second time you come through the crossing and you come up and then you’ve got that big wide corner at the top there, that’s a lot for them up there. And then after Cottesmore Leap [18], you’ve got the brush and then you’ve got the unsighted corner, unless you go wide around the outside again — it’s a lot there.
At the Dairy Mound [20ABC], you come up the slope and you’ve got the the oxer at the top of the slope. A few years back Phillips [Captain Mark, the previous course designer at Burghley] had a gate up there and that jumped well, but now we’ve got to jump up and out. There’s a lot there.
I’ve increased his [DHI Purple Rain] fitness since Badminton, and I’m confident on my stamina. But it’s a particular horse that has the mental capacity to continue around here. I think the way he’s [Derek] designed it, those horses that will struggle with their focus — be it because that’s their character or they struggle with the fitness — that’s where I think things could come unstuck towards the end there.
And it’s long way up that Winners’ Avenue!”
View this post on Instagram
Lauren Lillywhite – Hacien – 32nd – 35.2
“There’s definitely a lot to do out there, but I think it’s doable. It’s clear enough for the horses to see what they have to read, to see what to do. I think long as you bring your A game and you’re attacking, it should ride well.”
James Rushbrooke dressed for the British summer at the First Horse Inspection in a padded jacket and sweater. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
James Rushbrooke – Milchem Eclipse – 35th – 35.3
It’s “Plan A all the way” for Burghley debutant James Rushbrooke, who’s got two Badmintons under his girth and was 17th there in the spring.
“I’ve walked all the long routes but I haven’t walked them as part of a plan. Look, you never know what’s going to happen. It’s all massive and all looks pretty terrifying. But no, plan A. I’m quite confident in him [Milchem Eclipse], so that’s the idea.”
Alice Casburn is excited to take the track on with Topspin. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Alice Casburn – Topspin – 37th – 35.8
“Derek’s built an incredible track – it’s exciting! I think it’s a really good track because there are lots of places that you can have a little mistake, but I didn’t look at anything and think ‘that’s unfair’ or ‘that’s not doable’.
I think the accumulation of everything is really going to be the bigger factor. It’s nine minutes at the Dairy Mound, and then you come to the last quarter, where I think that’s where it’s a little more challenging. Last year it was, as long as you kept your head up and didn’t think you were home, you weren’t given too much to do on the way home. Whereas this year, it’s intense all the way to the end.”
View this post on Instagram
Michael Owen – Bradeley Law – 38th – 36
“There are lots of questions where you could have a silly 20, but nothing Bradeley Law can’t do on his day. But you’ve got to know your A and B plan — and C plans — and there’s something to catch you out all the way around.
Obviously, with it being Burghley, they can tire very quickly if you’re not careful, so you’ve just got to think clearly, keep them on their feet, keep them between the flags and just hope that your luck is with you on the day.
I’ve just got to go and have fun and trust that he [Bradeley Law] knows where he’s going, because he’s an absolute machine cross-country — he’s as fit as I’ve ever had him. You’ve just got to hope they’ve still got the zest for it and you don’t know until you jump the first few serious questions out there if they’re really going to be up for it, but I think he will be. He’s that kind of character where a switch can flick in his head and he just goes for it. So fingers crossed — I think we will have great fun.”
View this post on Instagram
Arthur Duffort (FRA) – Toronto D’Aurois – 40th – 36.6
“I love it! I love it here. We know it’s big. It’s bold. There’s nothing to catch the horses out. They’re not trying to trick the rider of the horse.”
Christoffer Forsberg’s back at Burghley for the first time in over a decade. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Christoffer Forsberg (SWE) – Con Classic 2 – 47th – 38.2
“It’s absolutely beautiful. Well built; big enough. It’s going to be technical and really difficult, I think, so you’re going to see more glance-offs maybe than normal.
The last time I rode here was 2010 — a long time ago now — and I think it’s changed more to a technical test nowadays. I remember the jumps as much bigger, but maybe it was because I was younger and less experienced. I feel like it’s still big, but it’s definitely more technical nowadays.”
View this post on Instagram
Sophie Fouracre – Lordana VH Leysehof Z – 50th – 41
“I think the Leaf Pit’s [7ABCD] so early on, you know, [when they’re] full of running and that steep incline, but fortunately I’m quite late so I can get an idea of go to left or right at the C part, but my gut’s telling me to go to the left of C, but I can watch in the morning and see how it goes.”
Aistis Vitkauskas is “quite looking forward to it”. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Aistis Vitkauskas (LIT) – Commander VG – 51st – 41
Aistis will be wearing the hat silk his grandma knitted him as he sets out on cross country. But what does he think of the trip it’ll be making?
“It’s a Burghley. What to think more? It’s a big course. It’s very technical. It suits my horse. I am actually quite looking forward to it. All the distances are large, and it also fits [Commander VG] because he’s a large galloping horse. At Burghley, it’s always about condition, I think. Preparation is all done, but I cannot predict where we are in conditions. So I hope it’s all well.”
Tom Bird’s taking on his first 5*, and walked the course with his mom. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Tom Bird – Rebel Rhyme – 52nd – 41.1
“I’ve walked the course couple of times. It’s big. It’s beefy, but he [Rebel Rhyme] ran really well at Bramham [where they added just 0.8 cross country time to their dressage to finish second], so fingers crossed, we’re ready. I’ll tell you tomorrow evening whether we were or weren’t!”
And as a 5* debutant, who did Tom walk the course with?
“I’ve walked the course with Chris Bartle [the British Eventing Team High Performance Coach, who Tom trains with]. He’s been absolutely brilliant. He walked Bramham with me. Pippa [Funnell] was also there, which is useful because she’s obviously done one or two.
Now I’ll go and walk it again. I’ll walk it with my mum this afternoon – she knows the horse so well and knows me so well, and she evented up to Advanced. Then I’ll go for a quiet walk tomorrow morning by myself and just finalize plans, and go from there.”
View this post on Instagram
Julia Norman (ZIM) – Ardeo Berlin – 55th – 41.7
“It’s definitely not a dressage competition, which is slightly why we’re here. He’s [Ardeo Berlin] really bold. He’s a little horse, so the jumps look quite big for him down there. But he’s very brave. I’ve had him quite a long time, and he’s quite experienced. He’s done three four-star longs, he’s done a five-star at Pau, so he’s set up for it.
There is a lot to do out there. I think there are tests all the way around, right to the end. So, a little bit depends on their stamina as well and it’ll be a big difference, I think, from Pau, which was relatively flat and quite twisty. But he coped very well with that, so let’s hope.”
So there you have it, straight from the horse’s mouth – so to speak.
Hang onto your hats, and go eventing!
EN’s coverage of Burghley is presented by Kentucky Performance Products. Click here to learn all about their full line of science-backed nutritional support products, including Neigh-Lox Advanced for digestive support.
Defender Burghley Horse Trials Links: Website | Live Stream | Entries | EN’s Coverage
