Ros Canter rode a tactful round on her Burghley first-timer Pencos Crown Jewel (Jasmine) to hold overnight fifth place in the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials cross-country phase.
Ros said after dressage that she would not be chasing the time, wanting to give Kate James and Annie Makin’s mare a happy experience. They set out in seventh on a score of 24.2, but as only one horse – Classic Moet – had gone inside the time, Ros did well to move up a couple of places.
The pair were a delight to watch, jumping smoothly and economically. Ros nursed the 13-year-old by Jumbo over the final few fences, and finished 30 seconds outside the time for 12 time-faults.
“I can’t tell you how you how amazing she was,” said Ros. “I was quite apprehensive, now I don’t have Alby [her world champion Allstar B], I’m stepping into the unknown. I broke Jasmine in as a three-year-old and at every level I thought she wouldn’t go any higher, so she’s taken longer to get to this level than others.
“I was probably a bit cautious today, to protect her as she’s very much a mare.”
Ros admitted to a few nerves having to wait all day for her round.
“I said to my husband I’ll watch a few horses then come back and play with my daughter, but I soon texted to say that wouldn’t be happening,” she said. “You can’t get the thoughts out of your head and you have to commit to the feeling.”
Burghley Horse Trials cross-country: Pippa Funnell takes top-10 berth
Pippa Funnell enjoyed a great round on Majas Hope, but couldn’t make up much ground on her 10th-placed dressage score with 12.8 time-faults. She holds ninth ahead of tomorrow’s showjumping phase (Sunday, 4 September).
This rangy galloper looked to give Pippa a smoother ride than her first horse Billy Walk On, who also jumped clear, but Majas Hope still took out three flags at corners. Like most of the horses, he too had to dig deep at the top of the hill before turning downhill for home after the Cottesmore Leap.
“It felt really great, I’m chuffed,” said Pippa. “Probably if Piggy was on top he would have made the time, I hold up my hand! There were a few little places where I balanced him and took a bit of speed away, like before the Cottesmore Leap. But maybe those little things are why I got two horses round Burghley. I’m so happy with both horses.”
It was a dramatic conclusion to the Burghley Horse Trials cross-country phase, with both Tom McEwen (CHF Cooliser) and dressage leader Kitty King breaking a frangible at the Fairfax & Favor Boot Racks, and Oliver Townend falling with Swallow Springs when challenging for the top spot.
Piggy March holds the lead with Vanir Kamira, with less than a fence in hand over Tim Price and Vitali.
You might also be interested in:
Piggy March puts in brilliant Burghley round on 17-year-old Vanir Kamira: ‘She was really up for it’
Tom McEwen and Oliver Townend out of the running for Burghley title after cross-country
Change on Burghley leaderboard as Tim Price, Oliver Townend and Zara Tindall take on track
Dressage leader Kitty King drops down ranks after Burghley cross-country: ‘I’m gutted for the horse’
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