Less than a fence separates top-two after cross-country day at Burghley

Alex Robinson's avatar
By
Published In News
Burghley Horse Trials cross-country:Oliver Townend riding Ballaghmor Class
Oliver Townend riding Ballaghmor Class for GBR during the cross country phase at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials, in the parkland of Burghley House near Stamford in Lincolnshire in the UK on the 30th August to 3 September 2023.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

On his third ride at the 2023 Defender Burghley Horse Trials, Oliver Townend retained his second place on the leaderboard by a whisker as the legendary performer Ballaghmor Class jumped clear around the Burghley Horse Trials cross-country course, picking up 4.8 time-faults.

Oliver and Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan’s 16-year-old, who won Burghley in 2017, was in third after dressage on 24.2 – the same score as Swallow Springs in second, but separated by their collectives – quite a way behind Tim Price and Vitali, who scored a record breaking 18.7. Oliver’s efforts today means the pair are now just 2.3 penalties behind the current leaders, so it will be all to play for in tomorrow’s final showjumping phase.

Alex Robinson
Alex Robinson
Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor

Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.