Burghley Everything Else

The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials – Show Jumping – And the winner is….

_Q9A0140The afternoon session began with Burghley bathed in glorious sunshine. Clears initially proved very hard to come by, and Armada had 4 down in a frustrating round for Oliver Townend.

Georgie Spence had Wii Limbo firing on all cylinders and she produced an immaculate clear round to finish on 61.4, only the fourth double clear so far.

Chris Burton went out of order on Haruzac, and his calm and secure clear to finish on 47.6 ensured him of at least a top ten place, perhaps top 5 if anyone above him makes a mistake.

_Q9A0294Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh produced an immaculate clear round, this super mare never looking like touching a fence – she makes me wonder whether she could have had a career in pure SJ.

William Fox-Pitt and Fernhill Pimms had just the one down to finish the horse’s first 4* on 58.6, a hugely promising sign for the future.

A frustrating 3 down for Kilronan dropped them down the order, a real shame as the horse looked fantastic, just not quite careful enough today.

_Q9A0339Tina Cook and Star Witness, at the horse’s first 4 star, did a fabulous clear, to be the Top British Rider in eventual 8th place.

Oliver Townend had 2 down with his second ride, Dromgurrihy Blue, to drop them just outside the top 10.

Cedric Lyard flew the flag high for France, performing a great clear round to finish on 50.8 in eventual 7th.

Mark Todd had Leonidas II jumping superbly, to secure another solid clear, for a 50.5 final score, with Chris Burton still leading (having jumped out of order).

_Q9A0359Bill Levett’s classy Master Imp sired Improvise had an expensive round for 5 down, dropping them right down the order. He had looked as if he was really hurrying yesterday and perhaps paid the penalty today with the horse being a bit flat.

Chris Burton’s second ride, TS Jamaimo, looked super keen and very springy and went clear, to be sure of having two rides in the top 5 at least.

Into the top 3. Jonelle Price had the first part of the triple down in an otherwise immaculate round, to put her onto 48.9, dropping her down a couple of places.

Tim Price magicked a clear round from Ringwood Sky Boy, putting extreme pressure on Michael Jung, who had no fences in hand.

_MG_7719The pressure was palpable, and you could have heard a pin drop, but Michael, in spite of being too sore from his fall in the water yesterday with Fischerrocana FST to trot up La Biosthetique Sam FBW this morning, and in fact visibly limping at walk, rode a totally immaculate clear, in a perfect rhythm, Sam never even looking like breathing on a pole. A truly awesome display in all 3 phases from the most consistent combination on the planet over the last 6 or so years. We were privileged to see them in action, and can only hope that they might be back again next year to defend their crown.

_Q9A0628Because his champion Sam can be tricky in Prize Givings, Michael Jung, ever the consummate horseman, elected to ride Fischerrocana FSH in the celebrations instead, and she seemed to be enjoying herself, limiting any possible antics to a little impatient pawing when asked to pose between the Land Rover hoardings for photos.

The presentation of the FEI Classics came after the Burghley Prize giving, with Ingrid Klimke as the winner, Michael Jung in second, and Jonelle Price in third.

A fantastic week’s sport finished with a totally worthy, legendary winner, a truly Brilliant Burghley, one to absolutely treasure.

 

 

 

About the author

Kerry

1 Comment

  • Have really enjoyed your really informed reports on this year’s Burghley. Have been at the event myself and concur with your review of proceedings. Excellent job and what a vintage Burghley it’s been.