Jessica Phoenix riding Wabbit for CAN in the dressage 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.
The sole Canadian rider of the 2023 Defender Burghley Horse Trials’ field, Jessica Phoenix, is making a return to the prestigious venue for the first time since 2011.
Jessica Phoenix’s ride on her Burghley debut 12 years ago was the thoroughbred Exponential, who held his own to finish 35th overall. This time, Jessica is in the saddle of another pure thoroughbred, Jim Phillips’ Wabbit, a 13-year-old by Line Of Departure.
Prior to his eventing career, the grey was a racehorse and he ran five times without success under his registered name Molinaro Kissing.
“This is his first time at Burghley and his fourth five-star competition,” said Jessica, who scored a solid 34.9 for her test.
Jessica has been in the UK for three weeks and she is staying with Tim and Jonelle Price.
“It’s been great; their training facilities are second to none and they’re the most welcoming people” said Jessica. “I’m so thankful for the opportunity.”
Jim purchased Wabbit as four-year-old straight off the track and his eventing career was started by Momo Laframboise who rode him up to preliminary level (similar to novice level in the UK).
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“The day I sat on Wabbit I knew he was a Burghley horse; he had so much scope, heart and jump,” said Jessica. “He’s a cross-country horse, and he’s one in a million. He’s got energy for days and he’s got a lot going on in his mind.”
When she reflected on her last Burghley ride on Exponential, Jessica said: “If I’d been a little more experienced at producing horses he probably would have scored higher in the dressage than he did. But I couldn’t have been sat on a better jumper; he went clear across country with only a couple of time-faults and he was also clear showjumping. It was an awesome weekend.
“I have to thank Wabbit for bringing me back. If you have a cross-country horse like him, you come to Burghley. I hope he eats up the course. It’s incredibly technical but this type of course is Wabbit’s forte; he’s always on the hunt for the next thing.”
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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.
