Marilyn Little and RF Demeter scored a 47.5 to sit fifth overnight. Photo by Kate Samuels.
Several riders tried valiantly to catch early leaders Sam Griffiths and Happy Times’ leading score of 40.2 this afternoon, but none of them could quite measure up. Allison Springer and Arthur put in a very solid test to come close with a 41.2, which leaves them in third place, and Marilyn Little and RF Demeter did a lovely test for 47.5, putting them in fifth place overnight.
Marilyn and Demi are here for their Burghley debut, as they have completed four other CCI4* competitions together, but not this one yet. She mentioned after her ride that she was very pleased with the score, as they’ve been working very hard to get this mare to be more fluid in her dressage, and it seems to be going well.
Her test was marred by two late changes, but outside of that was very accurate and technically correct. Marilyn said that it’s quite different to ride dressage on the grass with studs and was correct in saying that we don’t get much practice with that in the U.S., so it’s a new challenge for the American competitors.
Meghan O’Donghue & Pirate in their Burghley debut. Photo by Kate Samuels.
Meghan O’Donoghue and Pirate performed a very accurate test to score their best yet at this level by almost four points, leaving the arena with a 54.2 which puts her just inside the top 15 in 14th place overnight. Pirate doesn’t have the movement of the bigger warmbloods, and he was looking a tiny bit spooky when he came in, but he settled in and put forth a really obedient test, and I was very impressed with his work ethic. If you want to cheer for an OTTB, this one is your guy, and I can’t wait to see them on XC on Saturday.
Two other riders just slipped into the top 10 this afternoon, both of them riding for Great Britain. Hannah Bate rode right after the lunch break on Susie Guild’s Finbury Hill, scoring a 51.1 to stay in tenth place overnight. Glengarnock, winner of yesterday’s “Best Run-Your-Rider-Off-The-Strip Move” in our Unofficial Jog Awards made up for it today by performing beautifully for Paul Sims, scoring a 51.3 to put them right in front of Hannah, in ninth place.
The press conference is coming up with Allison, Andrew and Sam, and we will be bringing you interviews with the riders and many more thoughts on the day shortly, so stay tuned! In the meantime, go watch the day’s dressage tests on Burghley TV, where all the rides are available on demand. Go Burghley.
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