Latest from Horse & Hound in Christopher-burton

‘I wish we could bottle it and take it home’: rider secures individual eventing silver at Paris Olympic after hiatus from the sport

Gemma Redrup — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 15:42:11 +0000

Australia’s Chris Burton has capped off a phenomenal first half of 2024 after opting to return to the sport by securing an individual eventing silver medal at the Paris Olympics. Riding his own and Guy Bloodstock Ltd’s Shadow Man, Chris, who stepped away from eventing to focus on showjumping in 2021, produced a sublime clear round in the final phase of the Olympic eventing competition.

British-based Chris took over the ride on 14-year-old Shadow Man from British event rider Ben Hobday at the start of this season with the aim of competing him at these Games – if ever a plan worked perfectly, this must be it.

“I took a little break from the sport of eventing so it’s a really nice thing to come back and to have something like this happen,” said an over the moon Chris, who competed at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games with Holstein Park Leilani and Santano II respectively. “I’m delighted, but right now can’t help but think that I’m a lucky man.”

Shadow Man, a chestnut who oozes class, was competed by Ben – who was spectating in Paris – up to five-star with strong results at four-star, and Chris admitted he’d had his eye on the horse for a while.

“I spotted him years ago. I always knew he was that good. We tried twice to buy him but Ben was too much in love with him to sell him, and I can understand it. Basically all I’ve done is pick up the reins and gone into the arena. Ben – thanks for the horse, mate. He’s a ripper.

Chris said that Shadow Man will now “sadly go back”.

“It would be a dream to carry on with him. From the minute I sat on him, I felt he was incredible, like we were made for each other. But anyone would feel that sitting on him, he’d break your heart. But what a great story we had in Paris.”

In order for Chris to compete Shadow Man at these Games, he first had to qualify, which is no mean feat.

“The logistics of getting across to Europe are very difficult these days and we literally went all around the world [to qualify],” explained Chris, whose most recent run with this horse was a winning one in the Nations Cup at Millstreet at the end of May. “We got qualified, we got selected and now we have a medal.”

Speaking of Shadow Man and the gelding’s performance Chris said: “Isn’t he a machine? Isn’t he a delight? He just springs off the ground and he’s got scope and care and he’s a pleasure. So a huge thank you to Kate and Geoffrey Guy at Cheddington Equestrian [Shadow Man’s owners] because without them this wouldn’t be possible, and I honestly can’t believe it.”

Shadow Man was equal third after the dressage in Paris on a score of 22. He followed this up with a clear round across country inside the optimum time, and two clear showjumping rounds, adding just .4 of a time fault in the first round to his score.

On achieving his silver medal, Chris said he “stayed focused on doing his job”.

“I’m pleased to be able to go to bed tonight knowing I gave it everything I could. There’s no shame in coming second behind that bloke,” he said, referring to now three-time individual Olympic eventing champion Michael Jung.

Chris, 42, said this Olympics has been “incredible”.

“What a park. What an amazing place for a three-day event. Pierre Le Goupil [cross-country course designer for the Paris Games] is unbelievable. I suspected that he would be very good, and we were pleasantly surprised – he’s excellent. The crowd has just been so much fun. I wish we could bottle it and take it home.”

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‘I’m a bit embarrassed – he just did it so easily’: rider reflects on individual bronze position after Paris Olympics cross-country

Gemma Redrup — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 14:37:37 +0000

Australia’s Chris Burton produced a silky smooth Paris Olympics cross-country round aboard his own and Guy Bloodstock Ltd’s Shadow Man to maintain overnight third individually on day two of the Olympic eventing competition.

British-based Chris stopped the clock with seconds to spare to remain on a score of 22 going into tomorrow’s final showjumping phase.

“I’m a bit embarrassed – he just did it so easily. I think you can probably make him a six-star and he’d do it,” said Chris, who took over the ride on 14-year-old Shadow Man, from British event rider Ben Hobday at the start of this season with the aim of competing him at these Games – a plan that has proven to be perfectly executed.

“He’s a beautiful animal, so thank you to Ben Hobday – he did keep banging on about how good he was, but I thought it was a bit of a sales pitch!” admitted Chris. “But Geoffrey Guy and Kate Guy at Cheddington Equestrian [of Guy Bloodstock Ltd] – I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity and being able to ride at Paris is a real treat.”

Chris spent time away from eventing in 2021 to focus on showjumping before returning to the sport this year.

“It’s fundamentally all the same, but I will tell you there were a few times this year I woke up a bit nervous thinking, ‘I wonder if I can still do this’,” said 42-year-old Chris, speaking of his return, while also admitting that he’s taken “loads” away from his time showjumping.

“I’ve always loved jumping and jumping some of the big grands prix has actually helped me. Thanks to the Australian high performance programme, I’ve been lucky to train with Nelson Pessoa. We work together with the jumping and we work together with the cross-country and after the first event I came back to, he rang me and said, ‘Do you think it makes you better?’ and I said ‘I think it does, I feel like I’m riding well’ – he said, ‘I think so too’.”

Chris explained after his Olympics cross-country round that he is “trying not to think about being third at the moment”.

“I don’t want to get too nervous ahead of tomorrow, so we’ll just make sure the horse is okay and then we’ll give him a little jump in the morning to see how he feels and hopefully, I can do my best.”

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‘A goosebump feeling’: Michael Jung wows during Olympic eventing dressage phase

Gemma Redrup — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 15:31:31 +0000

Michael Jung wowed the judges during his Olympic eventing dressage test at the Paris Games aboard the impressive Chipmunk FRH, scoring 17.8 to go into provisional second.

It’s nip tuck at the top of the leaderboard, with the German rider just .3 of a penalty behind Britain’s Laura Collett and London 52, who hold the lead after setting a new Olympic record score.

Chipmunk FRH produced a relaxed and accurate test, earning a 10 from one judge for his penultimate flying change and 10s across the board for his final halt.

“It was an amazing feeling to gallop into the stadium – it was really like a goosebump feeling,” explained Michael of what it was like to ride this 16-year-old, owned by the German Olympic committee for equestrian sport, Klaus and Sabine Fischer and Joachim Jung. “At the same time, Chipmunk was so well concentrated and so with me and listening. Every second it was nice to ride him and directly before I went in, I knew I could take all the risks and I can try everything to get the best marks with him.”

Australia’s Chris Burton produced a beautifully presented Olympic eventing dressage performance with Shadow Man to score 22, which is enough for equal third at the moment, alongside Alex Hua Tian and Jilsonne Van Bareelhof.

“He was on his toes – he’s normally a very relaxed horse, but he got really excited because some guy went before me, who the crowd likes to cheer for,” joked Chris, referring to Michael Jung completing his test just prior to him entering the arena. “But then I was just delighted with him, he went back to work showing what a lovely gentleman he is and showing how well schooled he is, so that was a real treat for me.”

Chris took over the ride on Shadow Man, a 14-year-old he co-owns with Guy Bloodstock Ltd, from British event rider Ben Hobday at the start of this season.

“I said when we went up to Ben’s to ride him and vet him in the same day, I felt like I knew him already – were made for each other,” explained Chris of how he managed to cement a partnership with Shadow Man so rapidly.

Chris spent time away from eventing to focus on showjumping before returning to eventing this year.

“I was away from eventing for a while and I was delighted when I got back to it and found my skill set hadn’t left me,” he stated. “Although I got very nervous at Aachen [where he finished fourth in the CCIO4*-S with Clever Louis this month], because I thought ‘what if I ruined my career and what if I’m old and I can’t go fast anymore?’ But that was nice to see it hadn’t left me.”

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Horse temporarily switches from Britain to Australia to have best chance at Olympics

Becky Murray — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 17:07:34 +0000

Australia’s Chris Burton has taken on the ride of Ben Hobday’s Shadow Man, as he campaigns horses for Paris 2024 selection in both eventing and showjumping.

Ben has produced 14-year-old Shadow Man, who is co-owned with Jane Chambers, up the levels through to five-star. In 2017 the pair were crowned British novice champions at the Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing, and went on to finish 10th in the seven-year-old World Championship at Le Lion. In 2019 they enjoyed four top-five placings at four-star level, and were named British national champions.

Shadow Man will join Chris, who was on the team that won eventing bronze at the Rio Olympics, for six months – with Paris selection the aim.

Ben, who has recently set up a new base in Lincolnshire, told H&H when he was approached about Shadow Man “it wasn’t really on the radar initially”.

“But then we had a good think about it, and thought what were the realistic chances of me doing Paris this year. And Shadow Man was off last year [following an injury in 2022] so it goes against you from a selection point of view sometimes, especially for Great Britain with such a strong field of talented riders and horses,” he said.

“We had a further think about it and we came to the solution that Chris could borrow Shadow Man for six months and aim for the Olympics.”

Ben said it was a “tough decision”.

“I’ve had the horse since he was a two-year-old, and although this is all very exciting, he hasn’t left my sight for nearly 12 years. It’s a good thing overall, we’ve had great results with him, and when they approached us a bit of a light bulb came on and it means Shadow Man still has an opportunity to shine. It would be selfish of me not to let him fulfil that potential,” he said.

“Chris has been very fond of the horse for a long time, he rides very well and I certainly wouldn’t have agreed if it was a different rider. Chris has evented and jumped at a very high level, and his style of riding is very accurate and efficient so I was pleased from that point of view; he would do him justice.”

Chris and Shadow Man made their debut together at Montelibretti, Italy, on 3 March, where they had a double jumping clear in the CCI3*-S, with some cross-country time-penalties.

“It’s easy for me to say he’s the best horse in the world, in my opinion, and although Chris admired the horse, it’s not until he sat on him and took him through a competition he realised how good he is. It’s nice as a horse producer and horseman for someone else to recognise what I already knew was there. That’s what I want to try and get out of this year; if Shadow Man does what I think he can do, then I know my judgement is correct,” said Ben.

“It’s an exciting year for the horse, and a new part of his journey, and I hope it brings Chris all the success in the world. He can come back home then and we can continue on our journey and partnership, and next year for me could be some big things for Team GB if things go to plan.”

Ben, who this year will be concentrating on some “exciting” younger horses in eventing and showjumping, said it is Shadow Man’s “self-belief” that makes him so special.

“When the pressure is on and things get big, some horses shrink but he grows. When people are clapping he knows it’s for him and not for anyone else,” he said.

“He’s got that inner confidence, coupled with his talent, that makes him trainable, rideable, and makes the work fun and very easy. I said it from day one, I knew he’d be a superstar.”

Chris said he is “really excited” to have this opportunity.

“I have always admired Shadow Man and I am loving getting to know him; I have loved every ride I have had on him so far, he is an extraordinary horse.

“We have an intense few months ahead of us but it will be made that bit easier by having such a lovely horse that has been so well produced by Ben up to this level. We are all really excited about the road ahead, as steep as it may be.”

The event was Chris’s first since 2021, having been focusing on showjumping in the last few years. Last summer he helped Australia secure a Paris showjumping place when he and 12-year-old mare Chedington Hazy Toulana were part of the winning team in the group qualifier at Valkenswaard, the Netherlands.

Chris will aim for Olympic selection in both disciplines, with Chedington Hazy Toulana already qualified for the Paris showjumping. He also hopes to have a second horse qualified for the showjumping, 10-year-old gelding Jacksonville Eurohill.

“Competing in two disciplines simultaneously presents a unique challenge, but I am fully committed to the cause,” said Chris.

“I am so fortunate to have the support of the Guy family at Chedington Equestrian who have shown unwavering support and enthusiasm for our ambitious pursuit.”

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Three-man Aussie team – with Olympic eventer on side – beat the odds to be hailed Nations Cup Final heroes in Dutch conquest

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 11:24:08 +0000

Seemingly against all odds, a three-man Australian team took Saturday night’s Challenge Cup for the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, Spain (28 September-1 October) to a thrilling jump-off against the mighty Dutch.

Even more remarkably, two of the Australian side’s horses competing at this prestigious final are teenage half-siblings, making it a real night to remember for all involved.

It would eventually be the Dutch who prevailed, but it was a competitive night of top tier sport for this consolation round for the seven lower ranked teams from Thursday’s qualifier, won by Great Britain. The Australian trio posted two clears from Hilary Scott on Oak’s Milky Way and Jamie Kermond riding Yandoo Oaks Constellation, with former Olympic eventer Chris Burton, who is forging a stellar new career concentrating solely on the coloured poles, just picking up four faults with Chedington Hazy Toulana.

Meanwhile the Dutch, with the luxury of a drop score, joined them at the top of the leaderboard at the end of the night on a four-fault team tally, courtesy of clears from Jur Vrieling (Long John Silver 3 NOP) and Maikel van der Vleuten with Beauville Z NOP. Four-fault rounds came from Kim Emmen (Inflame Go) and Willem Greve riding Highway TN, forcing a jump-off between the two teams to decide top honours for the Challenge Cup in the Nations Cup Final, Barcelona.

Jump-off to decide Challenge Cup in Nations Cup Final, Barcelona

Chris was picked to represent the first-drawn Australian side, jumping at only his second five-star show and making his Nations Cup Final debut. He and the exceptional Toulon x Indorado mare, formerly ridden by fellow Australian Edwina Tops-Alexander, produced an attacking and notably quick round, with just the second element of the midway double falling for four faults in a time of 42.82sec.

It was then the turn of Willem Greve and the incredible 11-year-old stallion Highway TN, who has really come of age this year, contesting the European Championships in Milan and winning the five-star grand prix in Rotterdam this year. The effortlessly quick stallion powered round the snaking jump-off track without touching a pole, over a second quicker than his Australian opponent and the celebrations erupted on the packed kiss and cry as they were crowned Challenge Cup trophy winners for the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final.

The Dutch team are victorious in the Challenge Cup for the 2023 Longines FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, Spain (Image credit: FEI)

“Chris put the pressure on, even with that mistake. I had to choose to go for the clear, but, with an unlucky rail, you wouldn’t make it, so we said we’d just go for it, so I went fast,” revealed Willem. “I think we chose the right tactic!”

Joy in defeat for the Australians in Nations Cup Final Challenge Cup

Defeat was sweet for the Australians in Barcelona, nevertheless.

“It was always going to be a tough fight,” said Hilary Scott, whose 16-year-old mare Oaks Milky Way and Jamie Kermond’s 17-year-old gelding Yandoo Oaks Constellation are half-siblings and were both bred by Hilary’s mother Alice Cameron out of the same Jalisco B mare Galaxie Pierville.

“It’s amazing, there was some pressure on us tonight and I’m so proud of all of us.”

The riders had “really pushed” their Federation to be allowed to compete in Barcelona ahead of an Olympic bid next year.

“We wanted to gain more experience,” explained Jamie. “We were hoping we were going to have four riders with Izzy Stone, but things didn’t quite go the way she wanted at the last show so she decided not to come.”

Jamie put down the team’s opening 13th place finish with 25 faults in Thursday’s first round as due to “a lack of recent experience”.

“We regrouped and we thought our horses were jumping well and we had a shot tonight,” he said. “We needed everything to go right with the three of us and it nearly did so we’ll take it! We made the Dutch work for it!”

Stephen Lamb, Australia’s chef d’equipe, said: “Having secured an Olympic berth, it’s important for us to compete as a team. We don’t get the opportunity very often.”

Olympic eventer-turned-showjumper lands LGCT London win on exciting seven-year-old mare

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 10:36:06 +0000

Friday’s opening CSI2* class at the Longines Global Champions Tour of London (LGCT London) was won by Olympic bronze medal-winning eventer-turned-showjumper Chris Burton of Australia riding a very exciting young mare.

A hefty field of 63 lined up for the Martin Collins London Cup against the clock on 11 August and Chris, who has been pursuing purely a showjumping career for the past couple of years, set a flying target of 62.26sec with Ellie Guy’s seven-year-old Chedington Azzurra. He then faced a long wait as the remaining competitors tried their best to catch him, but the poles kept on falling – in particular the final line of oxer-vertical double to the red post box vertical to finish, and in fact his time proved completely unbeatable.

“It’s so exciting just to be here, what an amazing show – we’re very grateful to the owners for letting me ride here,” said Chris. “I came here last year and it’s lovely to have a win on Geoffrey and Elli Guy’s lovely mare.”

LGCT London: ‘A future grand prix horse’, says Chris Burton

Dutch-bred Azzurra is by Arezzo VDL x Contendro II and was previously ridden by Ireland’s Adam Morgan. Chris rides a lot of the Guys’ horses under their Chedington prefix and he took the reins on Azzurra last year, contesting the six-year-old world championships and has produced her through a string of young horse classes this year. But the LGCT London marked her first CSI2* success and she’s clearly one for the future.

“She’s very brave, very clever and we think a lot of her – she’s going to be a grand prix horse, no question, she’s amazing,” said Chris. “When you go early and you’re in the lead, you have an anxious wait watching everyone go, but it was fun sitting watching with the owners.”

Taking the runner-up spot in Friday’s Martin Collins London Cup at the LGCT London was young British rider Claudia Moore, who finished a second behind the winner riding a horse on the other end of the age scale, the 15-year-old Ultrachic De Charmois. Tallulah Mackenzie-Smith finished third on Karaibes, while yesterday’s winner Nicole Lockhead-Anderson completed a British two-three-four on another seven-year-old, Actavarina PS.

Olympic medal-winning eventer helps his country qualify for Paris 2024 showjumping

Becky Murray — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 14:51:34 +0000

Olympic medal-winning eventer Chris Burton has helped the Australian showjumping team qualify for Paris 2024.

Chris and the 11-year-old mare Chedington Hazy Toulana, were joined by teammates Hilary Scott and Oaks Milky Way, Edwina Tops-Alexander and Fellow Castlefield and Lauren Balcomb and Verdini d’Houtveld Z in the Group G Olympic qualifier yesterday (18 July) at Valkenswaard, the Netherlands.

UK-based Chris, who won eventing team bronze on Santano II at the 2016 Rio Games – the same year he won Burghley on Nobilis 18 – switched to showjumping last year with hopes of securing a place at the Paris Games.

Team Australia took an early lead with seven faults in the first round, while the Japanese team (Eiken Sato and Cacanno Jra, Yuko Itakura and Stakkatisa PS, Mike Kawai and Goldwin, and Taizo Sugitani and Quincy) were one fault behind them. New Zealand (Daniel Meech and Donkon d’Asschaut, Phillip Steiner and Cassina Dior, Richard Gardner and Calisto, and Tom Tarver-Preibe and Fiber Fresh Popeye) and China (Xingjia Zhang and Cevrin du Banney Z, Yuchen Chen and Gaga E d’Augustijn, Ella Yunjing Wang and Hoselinde, and Yaofeng Li and Jericho Dwerse Hagen) had 24 and 34 faults respectively in the opening round.

Team Australia has qualified for the Paris 2024 showjumping (Image credit: FEI)

In the second round all four teams added to their fault tally, but the Australians maintained their lead, followed by the Japanese, who took the second qualifying place for the Paris 2024 showjumping.

Chris said he was proud of “superstar” mare Chedington Hazy Toulana, who “had a big job”.

“She showed us what she is made of, helping the Australian showjumping team secure Paris Olympic qualification,” he said.

“A huge thanks to Chedington Equestrian for the chance to ride such a champion. Well done to the team who took the convincing win.”

Australia’s chef d’equipe Todd Hinde, who is stepping down as high performance jumping manager for Equestrian Australia following his appointment as the new FEI jumping director, was thrilled with the team.

“We presented seven horses at the trot-up and we could have had any four of them compete. I was confident the four we chose would go out there and produce the result,” he said.

Australia and Japan will be joined in the Paris 2024 showjumping by hosts France, Sweden, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. There are still nine team places available; the next two are up for grabs at the Group C qualifying event in Prague on 30 July.

‘Horse of a lifetime’ who was placed at five-star retires

Pippa Roome — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 12:01:33 +0000

Cooley Lands, who finished third at Badminton Horse Trials in 2019, will retire from eventing.

Owner Kate Walls decided it was time to call it a day on the 15-year-old’s career after he sustained an injury in March.

By Cavalier Land out of a Clover Hill mare, “Cyril” competed both with Kate and with Australia’s Chris Burton. With Chris, he won the eight- and nine-year-old class at Blenheim Horse Trials in 2017 and was a member of the Australian team at the 2018 World Equestrian Games (WEG), while he and Kate enjoyed seven top-20 placings in international competitions together up to four-star level.

“I have so many fond memories of many good times with Cyril,” said Kate. “The first time I saw him at Richard Sheane’s yard in Ireland I fell in love with him and always hoped that he would go on to great things.

“I won Bramham’s Burghley young event horse class on him as a five-year-old and from that moment onwards I had so much belief in him.

“The following year when he was six I finished third at the CCI2*-L at Weston Park and then the following year he was selected for the young horse World Championships at Le Lion d’Angers where he finished fourth with Chris Burton. At nine he won the young horse class at Blenheim and was sixth at Boekelo. But my absolute highlight and dream come true was him coming third at Badminton in 2019.

“Cyril is a real character at home. All of my horses live in a herd where he is top dog! He has a best friend in a miniature Shetland pony called Bandit and they are inseparable. He will have a well deserved rest now, but will nanny the babies around and enjoy some hacking when the sun shines.

“He really has been my horse of a lifetime, who deserves a very special retirement whilst being treated like a king.”

Kate Walls and Cooley Lands at Keysoe in July 2021. (Image credit: Nico Morgan Media)

In a feature in Horse & Hound in 2021, Chris described Cooley Lands as a “trier” and said: “I don’t think I’ve ever ridden a horse with so much turn of foot – and I used to ride thoroughbreds in Australia. At WEG, he made the time with 20 penalties when he spooked at the first water and at Badminton, I could have gone faster in any minute if I’d wanted to. In the showjumping he’s very careful with perfect technique.”

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Individual medal contender withdrawn from Tokyo Olympics

Pippa Roome — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 09:58:17 +0000

Australia’s Chris Burton has withdrawn Quality Purdey from the Australian eventing team for the Tokyo Olympics.

The 15-year-old mare, owned by Claire Poole and Chris’ wife Rebekah, has sustained a minor injury, which was discovered during pre-Olympic veterinary inspections, according to a joint statement from Chris and Equestrian Australia.

“Although with time [she] will make a full recovery, the decision has been made that her welfare shall not be compromised,” said the statement.

“We wish to acknowledge the exceptional horsemanship and overall sportsmanship displayed by Chris Burton throughout this process. Despite the personal disappointment of forfeiting his place on the Australian team, which would have been his third Games, Chris’s concern was Quality Purdey’s well being and the overall best interest of the Australian equestrian team.”

Dorset-based Chris was a potential individual medallist at the Games, being picked out as a favourite in H&H’s Olympic preview (published in the magazine tomorrow, issue dated 15 July) and sitting fifth in data analytics company EquiRatings’ prediction centre for Tokyo, with a 25% chance of a top-three finish.

Stuart Tinney now moves up from the alternate spot into the Australian Olympic eventing team with Leporis, who is co-owned by his rider and Stuart’s wife Karen, who will also groom for him in Tokyo.

Surrey-based Kevin McNab will travel to Tokyo as the alternate with Don Quidam, who loses the commericial prefix of his owners Scuderia 1918 for the Games. The rider’s wife Emma is also listed as an owner, while Lucy Hartley will groom for Kevin.

Article continues below…

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Stuart said: “As always it is a great honour and privilege to represent Australia at the Olympic Games. A dream so many of us aim for, this time in Tokyo it has been even harder for most.

“I feel for Christopher at this time as our lovely Leporis steps up into the team. I also welcome Kevin into the fourth position and wish everyone the best of luck. I am proud to be a part of such a strong team.”

This will be Stuart Tinney’s fourth Olympic Games and the Sydney 2000 gold medallist and Rio 2016 bronze medallist joins Andrew Hoy (Vassily De Lassos) and Shane Rose (Virgil) in the team.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Rider selected for eighth Olympics, plus horse injury plays a part in team selection

Pippa Roome — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 10:01:36 +0000

Andrew Hoy is set to extend his own record for Olympic appearances, having been selected for the Tokyo Games this summer.

The 62-year-old rider was the only Australian to have competed at seven Olympics after he rode at London 2012 and he has now been chosen for the team for Tokyo, with the reliable Vassily De Lassos.

Andrew said he is looking forward to representing Australia at his first Olympic Games since becoming a father to daughter Philippa, three, and one-year-old son Oscar, as well as riding a horse he believes may be one of the best of his career.

“To represent Australia at international level over so many years has been the greatest privilege and honour of my life,” he said. “I have never set out to break records on my number of Olympic Games participations – I am just a country boy from Culcairn, who loves his horses, has a huge passion for our sport and thrives on being competitive at the top end.

“I have been fortunate to have had wonderful support from so many people over the years, as you can never do this alone. It is a huge team effort and I am so grateful for everyone’s support.

“There is nothing that beats the feeling of wearing the green and gold and being part of a team of incredible athletes – going on to the biggest sporting stage in the world – and all wanting to make Australia proud. In Vassily De Lassos, owned by David and Paula Evans, I have got one of the best horses I have had in my whole career – so let’s hope the best is yet to come.”

The full Australian Olympic eventing team for the Tokyo eventing is:

Chris Burton on Claire Poole’s Quality Purdey (groom Coriander Cousins)
Andrew Hoy on David and Paula Evans’ Vassily De Lassos (groom Clémentine Giradeau)
Shane Rose on his own, his wife Niki and Michelle Hasibar’s Virgil (groom Rachel Watts)

The alternate rider is:

Stuart Tinney on his own and his wife Karen’s Leporis (groom Karen Tinney)

Article continues below…

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Stuart had been considered a favourite for the team with Elisabeth Brinton’s Celebration, but announced this week that an “unforeseen paddock injury” had ruled the horse out.

Stuart said this was “unimaginable news” in a “very tough few days” for him and the owners.

“‘Charlie’ has an amazing future, he is still young, so we consider this only to be a minor timing setback and we are looking forward to his return immensely,” he said, adding that he looks forward to supporting the team in his role as alternate and wishes them luck.

As is traditional, the Australian Olympic eventing team mixes riders based in Britain (Andrew and Chris) with those based Down Under (Shane and Stuart).

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find out more about getting the magazine delivered to your door every week.

Tom McEwen is victorious among Olympic longlist riders in CCI4-S at Bicton H&H Plus*

Gemma Redrup — Sun, 13 Jun 2021 16:27:14 +0000

Find out how this dramatic class at Bicton Horse Trials unfolded on cross-country day today...

Just 7.7 penalties separated the top 10 finishers in the CCI4*-S at Bicton Horse Trials, supported by Chedington, today (13 June).

But it was Tom McEwen, who had led after the showjumping phase aboard Fred Barker, Penny Barker, Jane Inns and Alison McEwen’s incredibly consistent Toledo De Kerser (pictured) who took the victory. The pair put in a super-slick cross-country round to finish bang on the optimum time of seven minutes to complete on their 23 dressage.

“He was just phenomenal. He was very keen and was a bit free,” Tom explained. “I never usually do two quick runs in a row with him – I could have done with a steady prep-run before as it settles his mind and body – I’d have loved to take him to Little Downham last week, but I ended up at Millstreet in Ireland with my other horses who were originally going to Luhmuhlen, so I couldn’t get the prep-run into Toledo. I obviously knew he could be right up there, but out of 100 or so competitors, it’s nice that he’s proved himself again.”

Kitty King finished second with Vendredi Biats. They finished two seconds inside the optimum time to complete on their 23.1 dressage.

“I’m delighted with him – ‘Froggy’ was brilliant,” said Kitty. “He was on a mission being quite strong down the hills — coming down to the last, I was like ‘please, get your hind legs underneath you’ and I think I need a steady run after this one to put the brakes back in. But he was really straight everywhere and I am really trusting him. I’ve not overly enjoyed the pressure this week but it’s fine – I’ve always seemed to have managed to do a little bit better than I expect when I’m under pressure, like at the Europeans, so maybe I should learn to enjoy it more!”

Ros Canter was third with Allstar B. They were four seconds over the optimum time, so added 1.6 time-faults to their 23 dressage.

“He’s amazing. I don’t warm him up anymore because he gets a little too excited, but he jumped as straight as a die at all of the skinny fences,” explained Ros. “I always think ‘God, am I going be able to turn him?’ because he’s a big old boat, but he’s so amazing to turn and he’s got a big stride so eats the ground up. I think he’s probably ready to go around again! He’s been picked up and put down so many times since I had a baby and then a year and a half of COVID that he was a bit lethargic about everything and we were a bit worried about him but then the fitter he’s got, the more he has come alive and more on it and he’s seriously on it at the moment – I don’t want him any more on it now!”

Laura Collett, who led the dressage on London 52 jumped clear inside the time around the cross-country to put four faults in the showjumping behind them, finishing in eventual fourth.

“He was unreal – he was just so on it. He was quite keen and just wanted to go faster, everywhere and I was like, ‘no, no, no’,” Laura said afterwards. “I thought about taking him to Little Downham last week to just have a quiet run, but then I thought I’d feel really stupid if he had done something silly.

“There has been pressure this week but I’ve been trying to focus on our performance – you can only control what you can control and I can control being here and doing a good job. All I know is that London has been phenomenal – if it’s good enough, it’s good enough and if it’s not well, you know, I’ve still got an amazing horse to have some fun on.

“Everyone’s in the same boat – the selectors are lucky in a way that they’ve got a ridiculous amount combinations to choose from that are all amazing. But on the other hand, they’ve got a tricky job now.”

Oliver Townend added 1.6 time-faults to his 24 dressage to finish in fifth riding Cooley Master Class.

“He’s a very good horse – he doesn’t need me around courses like this and on the top of the ground, he was just playing with it,” Oliver said. “He’ll definitely come on for the run as he got a little fat after Kentucky, but at the same time, I’m very happy with how he’s gone.”

Australia’s Chris Burton was sixth with Quality Purdey, finishing on their 26 dressage and Piggy March was another combination to finish inside the optimum time, taking eventual seventh with Brookfield Inocent.

“It went really well – I sort of held my breath through most of it just thinking ‘just go and jump the jumps and not do anything stupid’,” explained Piggy. “He’s amazing and so effortlessly fast and he does it pretty easily so I have to keep sort of slapping myself.

“The only thing is he’s got eyes everywhere – he notices a change of colour of grass, or if somebody moves, but that makes him the brilliant, because he doesn’t get tired and he’s so aware of where his feet are. He could have gone 20 seconds quicker if I had kicked him at any point – he does it not under any pressure, which is very spoiling.

“It’s just such a relief, but it’s so hard too – you have no idea what anyone’s thinking and I wouldn’t want to be a selector, but I’m just glad that he’s done what he does well and did it well – I haven’t let him down and he hasn’t had a moment that’s let him down or be the horse that he’s not – that’s the important thing today. He pulled up very well so at least you think you’ve done what you can do so you go home happy and then you’re in other people’s hands and what will be will be.”

Read the full report from Bicton in the 17 June issue of Horse & Hound magazine and keep checking back to horseandhound.co.uk for further updates and insight

‘We really need to use our brains’: top riders share their thoughts on Bicton’s cross-country course H&H Plus

Gemma Redrup — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 13:28:19 +0000

This weekend, some of the world’s greatest eventing combinations will do battle at the Bicton International Horse Trials supported by Chedington. Here, some top riders share their thoughts on the course, designed by Helen West and assisted by Captain Mark Phillips ahead of Saturday’s CCI4*-L and Sunday’s CCI4*-S cross-country action...

Piggy March

“They are really strong, good courses with hard terrain — it will be a really tough test and something that I think we’re all probably ready for and probably need in order to see where we’re at.

“We’ve been competing around the same places quite frequently — Aston-Le-Walls, for example, which has very little terrain — and all credit to them as they’ve been doing a great job. However, we have got to be on our A game and really make something happen — it’s good, it’s what the sport should be, and what we probably all need at this stage as well — something to actually get stuck in to and really go and ride and see where we’re at.

“I really don’t like the rail, ditch, corner [fence 15 in the CCI4*-L, fence 16 in the CCI4*-S, picture, top]. I just think that fence could be a mistake for a horse who’s just not quite understanding or gets its footwork a little bit wrong rather than it being an un-genuine mistake — I’m not a lover of that.

“Coming out of the water is a serious question with the angled brushes [fences nine and 10 in the CCI4*-L; fences 10 and 11 in the CCI4*-S]. It is a serious line and you’ve either got the line or you haven’t — there is no adjustment for a little bit too left or right.

“It’s a really good track and I think it will be interesting to see how people ride it. I hope people take the terrain into account, because it’s a great course but it stays big until the end. I think we really need to use our brains, because the hills are a shock to us when we walk it so it will be a bit of a shock to our horses too. We’ve got to be responsible for our cross-country rides. It’s what the sport should be and there will be problems everywhere.”

Laura Collett

“Both courses are seriously beefy. The CCI4*-S basically jumps the same course as the CCI4*-L, bar missing out one loop. I got three-quarters of the way around when I was walking it and said to myself I had forgotten where the last let-up fence was — it’s just one question after another. I think it’ll be very intense to ride — it’s a proper track and it’s not going to be a dressage competition.”

There’s no margin for error. I think coming out of the water is a tough question and I’m not really sure how the rail, ditch, corner is going to work but with another coursewalk or two it will come become clear.”

Tom McEwen

“It’s a proper track and it looks unbelievable. You should never undermine Bicton if you’ve never been — personally I would never bring a first-timer here, because it’s always big, but they’ve done a great job. I don’t mean this in a rude way but with the step-in events we’ve had recently, maybe some people are expecting a similar sort of course to those, but we’ve come here and pretty much found Bramham at Bicton — it’s pretty exciting really.

“The rail, ditch, corner is tough. You can do all these schooling exercises at home to try to train for those sorts of questions, but tackling something like that five or six minutes into a course is different.

“I think all the lines look really good — they’re all positive distances. It’s just a shame that there’s no Burghley this year, because I think if you had a great ride around here, you’d have been pretty content heading there as it would set you up nicely with the terrain and the style of course.

“I think this course is a serious ask, especially with the types of competitions we’ve had since the second half of last year and people will have to be on form riding around here.“

Chris Burton

“It’s beautiful — the ground is great and they’ve gone to so much effort here. The parkland looks amazing. It’s like a proper proper four-star — it’s big and tough and really in your face.”

Andrew Nicholson

“It’s a decent track. I think it’s a bit strong for a first-timer at CCI4*-L level and for me, it’s a little bit more suited to the five-star horses that are here, but it’s all very fair and we’ve just go do it.”

Nicola Wilson

“I think it’s really intense — there is question after question from start to finish, and the terrain is really hard work. It’s going to be one serious cross-country test.”

Emilie Chandler

“It’s a proper course and it will take some riding so it’s all to play for.”

Read the full report from Bicton in the 17 June issue of Horse & Hound magazine and keep checking back to horseandhound.co.uk for further updates and insight

Cooley Lands: the ‘ultimate’ five-star horse who provided his owner/rider with a ‘once-in-a-lifetime experience’ H&H Plus

Pippa Roome — Sat, 01 May 2021 14:00:30 +0000

This horse has been on the podium at five-star with Australian team rider Chris Burton, as well as competing with his owner, event horse agent Kate Walls. Pippa Roome meets him

Need to know

Cooley Lands

Age: 13

Breeding: Cavalier Land x Clover Hill

Rider: Kate Walls and has also previously been ridden by Chris Burton

Owner: Kate Walls, her husband Joe and Rob and Tricia Sargent

Breeder: Peter Rice

Greatest achievements: fifth Rockingham CCI3*-S 2015; second Camphire CCI3*-L 2015; fourth Le Lion seven-year-old championships 2015; first Blenheim eight- and nine-year-old CCI4*-S 2017; eighth Boekelo CCI4*-L 2017; sixth Jardy Event Rider Masters CCI4*-S 2018; member of the Australian team at the World Equestrian Games 2018; third Badminton 2019 (pictured) (all with Chris Burton); seven top-20 placings in international competitions including third Weston Park CCI2*-L 2014 and 16th at Blair CCI4*-S 2019 (with Kate Walls). All class names updated to current levels.

OWNER AND RIDER KATE WALLS

“I WAS in business with Piggy March when we bought ‘Cyril’ – or ‘Squirrel’, as we sometimes call him – from Richard Sheane at Cooley Farm, but Piggy didn’t have room for him when he first came over, so he came to me. I’m very much an amateur but I like having some nice horses around and he ended up staying.

“We did young horse classes and were third in the CCI* [now CCI2*-L] at Weston. I’m not a quick cross-country rider so I went to Chris Burton for some training.

“When Cyril was seven, I thought it’d be nice for him to go to Le Lion, so I asked Chris to ride him. He was fourth at Lion, losing the win only with a rail down, and well placed in both his qualification events. In the following years he won the eight- and nine-year-olds at Blenheim and went to the World Equestrian Games [WEG] in Tryon with Chris, but he lived with me and I competed him, too.

“In the spring of 2019 I did Lincolnshire open intermediate and then, as I’d never had a horse who could be competitive at Badminton, I asked if Chris would like to take him. He said, ‘I’d love to – but he needs to be with me now,’ so I dropped him off. My dream was for him to complete but to be third was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“You could hack Cyril after six months off and the worst he’d do is spook at a leaf, but he’s different coming out of the start box. I ride him in a pelham and find him incredibly strong.

“He’s back with me now as my schoolmaster. I loved watching him with Chris, who is such a talented rider, but the horse is my pet and I love looking after him. He lives in a herd and has a miniature Shetland. I have his three-year-old full brother too now.”

Chris Burton

“CYRIL really grew on me – he’s not flashy, but he’s a trier and beautifully bred on old Irish lines. He’s a compact little horse, with good conformation. The thing that really sells him is a video Richard Sheane has of him free schooling over cross-country fences – I’ve never seen a horse hunt for his fences more.

“He’s a strong little horse and wants to gallop. I don’t think I’ve ever ridden a horse with so much turn of foot – and I used to ride thoroughbreds in Australia. At WEG, he made the time with 20 penalties when he spooked at the first water and at Badminton [pictured], I could have gone faster in any minute if I’d wanted to. In the showjumping he’s very careful with perfect technique.

“I’m grateful to Kate for letting me ride him as I know it was hard for her to hand over her baby. It’s testament to the horse that he was third at Badminton considering how little time we spent together.”

RICHARD SHEANE OF COOLEY FARM

“I BOUGHT Cooley Lands at Goresbridge September Sales – I think he was the highest-priced three-year-old and I gave €18,500 [around £16,000] for him. I was in buying other horses and only saw him jump one fence, but he was a beautiful horse – so light and so blood, a great type, a great mover.

“He was halfway through being broken in when Kate and Piggy saw him and I kept him and did some work on cross-country with him before he went over to Kate. He was sharp, but always trainable, always wanting to do the job. He kept all those attributes from day one – he was always so athletic on the banks and ditches and found the difficult questions easy.”

“He’s the ultimate horse that you hope people want to come and buy from Ireland, in the sense he’s so blood and brave and a real good operator. I try to keep up with all the horses I sell and he’s been a real flagship horse for us. The year he won the eight- and nine-year-old and Cooley Cross Border won the CCI3* [now CCI4*-L] at Blenheim was one of the biggest days in Cooley world.”

This feature can also be read in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 29 April

British riders hold seven of the top 10 spots after first day of dressage at Pau five-star H&H Plus

Pippa Roome — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 17:02:21 +0000

Find out the secret behind training the leading horse, who scored 10s and which up-and-coming British star has been training with Carl Hester…

Chris Burton leads the way after the first day of dressage at Pau Horse Trials (22 October) – but Britain’s cavalry are just behind, holding seven of the top 10 spots.

The Australian leader appeared to be almost riding an exhibition round on Jill Martin and David Webster’s Graf Liberty, such was the accuracy and suppleness of his test, with each movement placed easily onto its marker. One six in his third flying change was the only time Chris’ marks dropped below seven throughout the test.

“He’s just always been a tricky horse to train and makes you work for it, but we know he can do it. I’m super pleased for the owners, Jill and David, who’ve been very patient with him,” said Chris of the 15-year-old, who finished fourth at Badminton last year.

“He’s not your conventional horse in that it all has to be on his terms. We have to be really nice to him – put lots of concentrated training into him, but also give him lots of pats and feed him Polos.

“I’m delighted with him – he gave me a good feeling to the hand. Often he’s either high behind in the changes or not through behind and he just really followed me today.”

Piggy March – who has never ridden at Pau before, despite all her experience – sits second in 22.2, just 0.2 of a penalty behind Chris, following a super test on Brookfield Inocent, last year’s Blenheim Horse Trials CCI4*-L winner who belongs to John and Chloe Perry and Alison Swinburn.

Brookfield Inocent demonstrated a solidly consistent uphill outline, combined with excellent energy and activity. The pair’s marks were only marred by three fours for a mistake in the second flying change. They scored a 10 for the extended canter from the French judge Xavier Le Sauce at H.

“He’s capable of really lovely work, but obviously it’s his first five-star. He can be spooky,” said Piggy, explaining the horse had not been keen on the green carpet used to dress the all-weather surface during arena familiarisation.

“He’s confident in his work, but just needs more occasions to know that he’s with me – and he was. This test was what I knew he could do, but it’s very pleasing he didn’t go green or spooky or uptight at all.

“He’s 11 and just coming up to the level, changing all the time, getting more established and growing up. We’re just trying to get more cadence in the trot and dotting the is and crossing the ts – but he’s a beautiful horse, so you always have the advantage of that in the first place.”

Ros Canter and Zenshera put in their customary tidy, accurate test to score 24.8 and hold third, as they bid for a fourth top-10 placing at Pau in as many runs at the French showcase.

Laura Collett set the standard from fifth draw today with Mr Bass. Her active, consistent test attracted good marks throughout, including three nines from New Zealand’s Andrew Bennie at C, for a final score of 26.2 and fifth overnight.

Nicola Wilson piloted Bulana, the 2017 European individual bronze medallist, into sixth on 26.8 with a harmonious test. A judging discrepancy in the second flying change was corrected – a four and two sevens turning into three sevens – which elevated Nicola a place higher than she appeared on the provisional results.

Five-star debutante impresses

Young rider Mollie Summerland impressed in the second judging block today and holds fourth at the end of the day with a score of 25.5 on her own Charly Van Ter Heiden.

The 23-year-old showed off Charly’s impressive, elevated paces and managed his slight tension with a skill that belied her inexperience for a mistake-free test which garnered three nines from Xavier Le Sauce.

“I’m so pleased – I know he is capable of doing a good test, but we’re both really inexperienced, so I wasn’t expecting that score at all on my five-star debut,” said Mollie.

“You do have to hold his hand a bit in the arena – he does get a bit nervous – but he was really rideable today and did everything I asked of him.”

Mollie was particularly pleased with her flying changes, saying: “They could be straighter and there is still plenty of work to be done, but I have struggled with getting my timing right, so that was a big achievement for me as a rider to get all four of them.”

Mollie has recently moved to be based at Allington Equine, in Hampshire, where she benefits from regular training with dressage rider Olivia Oakeley and she is excited to train with her and Carl Hester through the winter.

“Olivia got me in with Carl – she was based with him previously – for some lessons. That’s been so helpful and I didn’t show him up, anyway,” she said.

Mistake for the defending champions

Last year’s Pau winners, Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser, made an excellent start to their test in the trotwork, but the marks started to drop off when the horse wasn’t really drawing forward into the bridle in extended walk. A wrong strike off into canter out of the rein-back resulted in fours from all three judges and even a 10 for extended canter from Xavier Le Sauce couldn’t bring Tom back onto the podium. The pair sit seventh overnight on 27.

Yasmin Ingham was another younger British rider in the spotlight today and she pulled off a smooth test on the workmanlike five-star first-timer Rehy DJ to hold 10th on 28.7.

Sarah Bullimore’s test on Reve Du Rouet was a hotly anticipated one for British fans, but it didn’t get off to the best start when Reve Du Rouet moved off while Sarah was saluting in the first halt. However, they clawed back marks from then on – including a 10 from Xavier Le Sauce for the mid-test halt – to claim 11th on 28.9.

Aside from the leader, the British domination is interrupted by Tim Price in eighth (27.2 on the 2018 Burghley winner Ringwood Sky Boy) for New Zealand – another to draw a 10 from Xavier Le Sauce – and Kevin McNab, who sits ninth for Australia on a mark of 27.6 on Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam.

Australian rider Isabel English withdrew Feldale Mouse before her dressage spot today, leaving 32 horses to appear before the ground jury.

Fifteen pairs come forward tomorrow morning to complete the dressage phase. Oliver Townend is the first to enter the arena, on MHS King Joules, at 9am French time (8am British time).

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Life lessons: Olympic eventer Chris Burton on nervous time-wasting H&H Plus

Alex Robinson — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 11:00:01 +0000

Australian-born Chris was an Olympic eventing team bronze medallist in Rio riding Santano II. Among other accolades, he won Burghley with Nobilis 18 in 2016 and finished third and fourth at Badminton 2019 on Cooley Lands and Graf Liberty.

Growing up, I was lucky to have supportive parents who were always there for me and backed all the decisions I made. This has stood me in good stead during my career; although when I was younger I didn’t realise that a job in the horse world could – and would – go on for so long.

At school I was asked about what I wanted to do and, while I knew I wanted to work with horses, my answer wasn’t necessarily what everyone else wanted to hear. I didn’t really know a career in horses was a real thing. My father still jokes about this now, telling me that it’s time to get a proper job soon. Maybe I will one day.

I had so many idols growing up in Australia; I watched the likes of Andrew Hoy and Matt Ryan win medals in the 1990s and 2000s, which was hugely inspiring. But in later years I’ve trained with Nelson Pessoa, who has been an incredible influence, and I’m so lucky to have spent time with him.

Looking up and ahead

I’ve probably had around two dozen separate moments in my career that have made me change my management or riding in some way – I reckon that every good athlete will have experienced the same. Part of being a professional sportsman is recognising that you’re always working towards a moving target and that you should be working on your own personal growth and performance all the time.

Even the other day an owner said to me, “Surely you don’t need to use those poles on the ground,” and I replied, “Of course I do!” I’m constantly looking to improve my technique, my eye for a distance and my general riding. We should never stop working on ourselves.

I train all my horses and clients over simple poles on the ground at a canter. While it helps the jumping phases, it aids the flatwork side of things, too. I often see riders thinking that they’re really lengthening or collecting their horses but they’re actually not. Working over two simple poles on the ground helps you to get your eye in and ride a better stride – it’s simple but effective.

Horses are meant to live outside so if they’ve been boxed I’ll walk them for at least 20 minutes before I begin trotting and cantering. They’re designed to be free in nature, but this is not always possible due to weather and other circumstances. I hate to compare Australia and the UK, but over there horses can be outside for longer due to the warmer climate. Here, during summer, our horses are out as much as they can be. It’s about working with what you have and adapting your regime accordingly.

Packing smart

When I’m nervous I spend – or should I say waste – a lot of time polishing my boots. The more nervous I am, the more I polish. You can bet that my boots have an ultra-high sheen when I’m at a major championship, such as Burghley.

The last thing I try to remember before I leave the start box is if I packed a fresh pair of underpants in case I fall at the water jump. While I’m a fairly organised person, my wife is uber-organised so I can be safe in the knowledge that if I haven’t packed them, she will have done it for me.

The one horse I wish I had now would be the one who made me – the full thoroughbred Deo Juvante. My mother found him in Australia’s Horse Deals magazine for $5,000 (£2,770). I was 14 years old and my family were so stressed about spending such a huge amount of money on a horse. But he turned out incredibly and took me from Pony Club to four-star (now five-star).

Ref Horse & Hound; 8 October 2020

14 pictures we love from Pau as we bid goodbye to the European eventing season

Pippa Roome — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 08:24:15 +0000

While the British eventing season squelched off into a slightly mud-stained sunset last weekend, those riders at Pau CCI5* (24-27 October) had better weather for their 2019 farewell, with glorious sunshine. Well, you know, it’s the south of France, darling.

Because we couldn’t resist a look at Pau’s autumnal colours, sleek horses and fearsome fences, here at 14 pictures we loved from the final European five-star of the season…

AUS-Christopher Burton rides Quality Purdey during the second day of Dressage for the CCI5*-L. Les 5 Etoiles de Pau. Pyrenees Atlantiques. France. Friday 25 October. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography (Image credit: Libby Law)

Look at that extension! Chris Burton piloted Quality Purdey into second place in the final reckonings, from sixth after dressage.

AUS-Kevin McNab rides Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam during the Cross Country for the CCI5*-L. Les 5 Etoiles de Pau. Pyrenees Atlantiques. France. Saturday 26 October. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography (Image credit: Libby Law)

Fellow Australian Kevin McNab closed out the competition in seventh place with Scuderia 1918 Don Quid, seen here jumping a luscious hedge.

AUS-Shane Rose rides Virgil during the first day of Dressage for the CCI5*-L. Les 5 Etoiles de Pau. Pyrenees Atlantiques. France. Thursday 24 October. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography (Image credit: Libby Law)

Shane Rose thanks Virgil, who had a difficult build-up to the event after travelling to France from Australia, but gave his all to claim third.

CAN-Holly Jacks rides More Inspiration during the Cross Country for the CCI5*-L. Les 5 Etoiles de Pau. Pyrenees Atlantiques. France. Saturday 26 October. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography (Image credit: Libby Law)

“I’m trying so hard I‘m crossing my legs, Mum…” More Inspiration impresses with 12th place under Canada’s Holly Jacks.

GBR-Alexander Bragg presents Zagreb during the CCI5*-L First Horse Inspection. Les 5 Etoiles de Pau. Pyrenees Atlantiques. France. Thursday 24 October. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography (Image credit: Libby Law)

What a smartie pants! Alex Bragg presents Zagreb, who finished fourth, his third top-five finish at this event.

GBR-Rosalind Canter rides Zenshera during the Cross Country for the CCI5*-L. Les 5 Etoiles de Pau. Pyrenees Atlantiques. France. Saturday 26 October. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography (Image credit: Libby Law)

Ros Canter continues her epic comeback after the birth of her daughter Ziggy by piloting Zenshera into fifth place.

GBR-Virginia Howe rides Undalgo de Windsor during the Cross Country for the CCI5*-L. Les 5 Etoiles de Pau. Pyrenees Atlantiques. France. Saturday 26 October. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography (Image credit: Libby Law)

Ginny Howe bounces back from a fall at Burghley with 18th place for Britain on Undalgo De Windsor.

GBR-Tom McEwen speaks with the press after his test on Toledo de Kerser during the second day of Dressage for the CCI5*-L. Interim-1st. Les 5 Etoiles de Pau. Pyrenees Atlantiques. France. Friday 25 October. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography (Image credit: Libby Law)

Who’s that cheeky chappie? Eventual winner Tom McEwen takes the microphone after his leading dressage test.

GBR-Tom McEwen rides Toledo de Kerser during the Show Jumping for the CCI5*-L. Final-1st. Les 5 Etoiles de Pau. Pyrenees Atlantiques. France. Sunday 27 October. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography (Image credit: Libby Law)

Tom and Toledo De Kerser confirm their victory with a showjumping clear over Pau’s colourful poles.

NZL-Tim Price rides Wesko during the second day of Dressage for the CCI5*-L. Interim-2nd. Les 5 Etoiles de Pau. Pyrenees Atlantiques. France. Friday 25 October. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography (Image credit: Libby Law)

Because we all love Wesko… there was no fairytale for Tim Price’s ride, who was a five-star winner before he had two seasons on the sidelines, this weekend as he returned to the top level. A fall across country when he tripped in the final water put paid to his chances.

The fabulous family, groom and connections: GBR-Tom McEwen speaks with the press after his ride on Toledo de Kerser during the Show Jumping for the CCI5*-L. Final-1st. Les 5 Etoiles de Pau. Pyrenees Atlantiques. France. Sunday 27 October. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography (Image credit: Libby Law)

It takes a village. Connections celebrate Toledo De Kerser’s victory.

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British rider wins first CCI5* title

‘I know everyone says their horses deserve a win, but he really does. I’m super-lucky to have him – he’s

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British rider responds to criticism following accident on Pau cross-country after his rein broke

A horse tried to jump a high palisade wall when the rider lost control after continuing round the course when

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GER-Andreas Dibowski rides FRH Butts Avedon during the Cross Country for the CCI5*-L. Les 5 Etoiles de Pau. Pyrenees Atlantiques. France. Saturday 26 October. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography (Image credit: Libby Law)

Andreas Dibowski’s ride FRH Butts Avedon —a European team gold medallist for Germany in 2013 — bows out of the sport at the age of 16. He finished eighth in his final competition.

NZL-Tim Price rides Ascona M during the Cross Country for the CCI5*-L. Interim-7th. Les 5 Etoiles de Pau. Pyrenees Atlantiques. France. Saturday 26 October. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography (Image credit: Libby Law)

What a reach! Ascona M puts her all into her round with Tim Price and goes on to finish sixth.

Pictures by Libby Law Photography

Full report from Pau in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine (dated Thursday 31 October).

British rider on track for first CCI5* win at Pau: ‘My horse was unbelievable’

Catherine Austen — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 17:50:44 +0000

Tom McEwen holds on to his lead in the final CCI5* of the European eventing season at Pau after today’s cross-country (Saturday, 26 October), during which temperatures soared to 27 degrees.

The British rider and his 2018 World Equestrian Games team gold medallist, Toledo De Kerser, were almost foot-perfect around Pierre Michelet’s tough, intense track and finished just two seconds over the time allowed. This means they have added 0.8 of a penalty to their dressage mark of 24.9, and have a 3.1-penalty lead over second-placed Alex Bragg and Zagreb.

“Usually I don’t get that excited about things, but I was about this round,” said Tom, who had a run-out at fence seven on his first ride, Figaro Van Het Broekxhof. “It was a long wait until the end of the day.

“Toledo was unbelievable. He started off very keen, and then the round got smoother and smoother.”

The 12-year-old, owned by Fred and Penny Barker, Jane Inns and Ali McEwen, was selected for the European Championships but fell over at home and scraped his side, so this run at Pau is an important step towards selection for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“I wouldn’t want to be sitting on any other horse going into tomorrow,” said Tom.

Alex and Phillip and Sally Ellicott’s Zagreb, eighth after dressage with 28.8, were the only pair to make the time, coming home three seconds under the optimum of 11 minutes 15 seconds to hold second.

“The horse was fantastic from start to finish,” said Alex. “Watching the first few riders, I realised you had to be on top of the clock — the circular combinations meant you wouldn’t be able to make it up.

“He doesn’t have the biggest stride considering he is a big horse, but he has a lot of experience and I don’t have to waste time setting up and through the combinations; that probably saves two seconds per fence.”

In third is Australia’s Chris Burton with Claire Poole and Rebekah Burton’s 13-year-old mare Quality Purdey. They added two time-faults to their dressage of 27.8 and rose three places with an elegant, confident round.

“I’m so proud of her — I’m so lucky to have the ride on her,” said Chris. “She got a little bit tired towards the end, as they all did — Pierre Michelet did a very good job of slowing us down.”

Quality Purdey broke a pedal bone at Aachen last year: “She’s defied all the odds to come back. She steals my heart,” admitted Chris.

Britain’s World Equestrian Games individual gold medallist Ros Canter, who gave birth to her daughter Ziggy three and a half months ago, dropped one place from third to fourth on Zenshera with six time-faults.

A delighted Ros said: “I am absolutely over the moon, to be honest. I was quite nervous this morning, wondering if I was doing the right thing, but I think that was my best round here so far. I didn’t have a single bad jump; he is such an honest horse.”

Shane Rose and Virgil made the long trip from Australia to compete at Pau, and were rewarded with a clear round with 1.6 time-faults and fifth place. This was a rise of nine places from their dressage spot.

“I was a bit slow, but he was great. I probably went out a bit more conservatively than normal as no one had gone close to the time when I set out,” he said.

His countryman Kevin McNab is sixth on CCI5* debutant Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam, a place ahead of New Zealand’s Tim Price and Ascona M.

Tim picked up 16.4 time-faults on the “feisty” grey mare, a winner at this level at Luhmühlen in June. Sadly, his second ride Wesko, in the runner-up position after dressage with a mark of 25.6, stumbled going into the final water and unshipped Tim.

The next-best British rider is Gemma Tattersall, 13th on Jalapeño, who picked up 20 penalties for a run-out at 24b. She had been third after dressage. Gemma also had a run-out on Chilli Knight, who is now in 20th position.

Good clear rounds pushed Sarah Way (the 15.1hh Dassett Cooley Dun) and Izzy Taylor (Call Me Maggie May) up from 40th and 37th after dressage to 14th and 15th respectively. Ginny Howe and Undalgo De Windsor were also clear, rising from 41st to 18th.

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The only rider with three horses at Pau was Sweden’s Ludwig Svennerstal, who failed to complete with all three. Salunette fell at fence 16, Ludwig tipped off Balham Mist at fence 15 and he retired El Kazir SP after a run-out at 7b.

Check back online tomorrow for more from Pau. Full report in next week’s Horse & Hound (dated 31 October).

‘We’re very excited about him’: combination dominate Blenheim’s young horse class at their first event together

Gemma Redrup — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 17:41:08 +0000

Chris Burton proved unstoppable in the CCI4*-S for eight- and nine-year-olds at the SsangYong Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials today (22 September). He stopped the clock bang on the 6min 44sec optimum time in the final cross-country phase to win by almost seven penalties with Clever Louis (pictured top). Impressively Blenheim was this combination’s first event together too.

“We’re very excited about him,” said the Australian rider of the Dr Geoffrey and Kate Guy—owned nine-year-old, who finished on his 29.7 dressage. “He has a lot of thoroughbred blood and is very honest across country — he actually sped up towards the end, which is pretty unique.”

Tom McEwen was second on Barbara Cooper’s eight-year-old, Dreamaway II. They added 5.6 cross-country time-faults to their 31 dressage.

“He’s come on leaps and bounds and he has such a desire to crack on,” said Tom. “I wasn’t going as fast as I could but he’s got a big stride.”

Gemma Tattersall was the only other competitor to achieve the optimum time which meant she rose from 23rd after the showjumping into eventual third with Christopher Stone’s nine-year-old, Chilli Knight.

“He’s incredibly consistent — I call him the ‘yes man’ at home because he is the ultimate trier,” said Gemma. “We have such a partnership but he’s sadly for sale, so I would be delighted if someone wants to buy him for me so I can keep the ride.”

Continued below…

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘I was thinking I couldn’t jump a clear round when it matters’: Piggy French overcomes demons to dominate Blenheim CCI4*-L

Find out how the final phase unfolded at Blenheim

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Izzy Taylor was fourth with Artful Trinity, Italy’s Giovanni Ugolotti was fifth on Duke Of Champion and Japan’s Ryuzo Kitajima was sixth riding Feroza Nieuwmoed. The top 10 was completed by Caroline Harris (Falko TH, seventh), Oliver Townend (Dreamliner, eighth), Yasmin Ingham (Rehy DJ, ninth) and Aaron Millar (Friendship VDL, 10th).

For the full report from the SsangYong Blenheim Palace Horse Trials, don’t miss this week’s issue of Horse & Hound — out Thursday (26 September).

Former winners set for gripping showdown in Blenheim young horse CCI4*-S class

Gemma Redrup — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 19:33:55 +0000

The showjumping phase of the CCI4*-S eight- and nine-year-old class at the SsangYong Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials proved highly influential today (21 September). Sixteen competitors from 66 starters managed to jump clear within the time, which caused a shake-up of the leaderboard.

William Fox-Pitt and Australia’s Christopher Burton now jointly hold the lead on their 29.7 dressage scores.

William, who is riding Pep, Tara and Robert Glen’s eight-year-old Georgisaurous (pictured top) was understandably delighted with the gelding’s performance saying: “He’s quite cool and I really like him — he’s not normal as he has always been one step ahead. I’m not sure I want to gallop him round here tomorrow yet and I need to have another look at the going first — I think this class is better suited to nine-year-olds and there is a bigger picture in mind for him.”

Chris Burton finds himself holding the joint number one spot at his first ever competition with Dr Geoffrey Guy and Kate Guy’s nine-year-old Clever Louis (pictured below).

“He’s a lovely horse and a great jumper,” said Chris of the gelding by Cyrkon and out of a Cor De La Bryere mare. “I’m lucky to ride this horse and train in a place thanks to my great sponsors in the form of the Guys. It’s my first competition with him and there’s a lot to learn about him on the cross-country tomorrow.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Twenty-two-year-old Yasmin Ingham has risen from seventh after the dressage into third after the showjumping thanks to a polished round with Rehy DJ. Owned by Sue Davies and Jeanette Chinn, the nine-year-old gelding goes into the final cross-country phase on his 30.1 dressage score.

Piggy French has dropped out of contention when lowering three poles on Calling Card, relinquishing first place to now sit in 38th position. Sam Griffiths, who was in second with Freestyler is now in 35th having incurred 9.6 penalties.

Continued below…

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘He’s a class act — I’m so lucky’: all-change after Blenheim CCI4*-L cross-country

Find out how the cross-country has influenced the dressage result at Blenheim this morning

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Just 4.1 penalties separate the top 10 with Tom McEwen in fourth on Dreamaway II (31), Francis Whittington in fifth with DHI Fiktor Nita (32.8), Ryuzo Kitajima from Japan in sixth with Feroza Nieuwmoed (32.8) and Izzy Taylor in seventh with Artful Trinity (33.5). The top 10 is completed by Ireland’s Aoife Clark and Celus D Ermac Z in eighth (33.5), Aaron Millar and Friendship VDL in ninth (33.6) and Tim Price and Senza Fene in 10th on 33.8.

The cross-country is due to commence at 10am tomorrow.

For the full report from the SsangYong Blenheim Palace Horse Trials, don’t miss this week’s issue of Horse & Hound — out Thursday (26 September).

‘I can’t believe it’ — 2019 Badminton winner crowned

Gemma Redrup — Sun, 05 May 2019 15:28:44 +0000

On her 25th attempt at this level, Piggy French has won a five-star event today (5 May) at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. Riding Trevor Dickens’ 14-year-old mare, Vanir Kamira, Piggy posted a textbook round, being one of 11 from 56 showjumping starters to jump clear inside the time.

N.B: Please be patient while the video interview below loads.

“I’m very much not used to this — I can’t believe it,” said an emotional Piggy. “I woke up this morning thinking we could do it, then after I walked the course I thought that was it as that style of course really doesn’t suit her with several related distances. I could build the same course at home, in the same size arena as here and jump it 50 times and we wouldn’t jump clear. In the nicest possible way, she’s a pain 362 days of the year, but I love her to bits and she comes into form at these big ones.”

Oliver Townend, who had led overnight on Ballaghmor Class had one fence down, but lost on time-faults, finishing four seconds over the time, and in the end lost victory by .3 of a penalty, resulting in second place.

Badminton final scores

“This has been and unbelievable performance and achievement for this horse,” said Oliver. “This is such a special win for Piggy and her family and she was disappointed this time last week in Kentucky. A quarter of a second is an annoying margin to lose by, and all I needed to do was take one less stride somewhere, but this is Ballaghmor Class’s best performance to date.”

Australia’s Chris Burton was third riding Joe and Kate Walls’ hugely talented 11-year-old, Cooley Lands. They were the only pair to finish on their dressage score of 28.1, 1.3 penalties adrift of Piggy.

N.B: Please be patient while the video interview below loads.

“He gave his all and I’m delighted for his owners,” said Chris, who was also fourth on Graf Liberty after crashing through a fence and incurring two time-faults. “I tried to go down that line on one stride less on Graf Liberty but it didn’t work out.”

Andrew Nicholson was fifth with Paul and Diana Ridgeon’s Swallow Springs. They had two fences down, finishing on 35.8.

“He went a bit green to start with and showed his inexperience,” explained Andrew. “He didn’t want to go near the crowds but he jumped better during the second half of the course.”

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Oliver was sixth on his second ride, Cillnabradden Evo, who had four jumping faults, while Tina Cook (Billy The Red) and Imogen Murray (Ivar Gooden) rose three and four places respectively into seventh and eighth thanks to clear rounds inside the time. Imogen also won the prize for the biggest climb after the dressage, having started off in 65th. William Fox-Pitt was ninth with Little Fire, while Tim Price (Ringwood Sky Boy) dropped from overnight sixth to 10th after dropping three poles.

Don’t miss next week’s issue of H&H (dated 9 May) for the full report from Badminton Horse Trials

‘He is an exceptional athlete’ — all change at the top after Badminton cross-country

Gemma Redrup — Sat, 04 May 2019 17:12:43 +0000

Oliver Townend leads the way after the cross-country phase of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials today (4 May). Riding his 2017 Burghley winner Ballaghmor Class, he stopped the clock just one second over the optimum time of 11min 45sec to finish on 21.5. This gives him a 5.6 penalty advantage over his nearest rival going into the showjumping tomorrow.

N.B: Please be patient while several video interviews load below

“We had awful preparation for this event last year with the weather causing problems with the spring events, so this year I wanted to show the world how good this horse is,” said Oliver of the grey 12-year-old, owned by Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan. “You won’t see many rounds like that one at Badminton — we were 14 seconds down coming out of The Lake and I said ‘go’ and he went — he is an exceptional athlete. He was perfect and better than ever.”

Piggy French, who led for most of the day, now sits in second aboard Trevor Dickens’ 14-year-old mare Vanir Kamira. They were just two seconds over the optimum time.

Badminton final scores

“She’s amazing and such a game little mare,” said Piggy. “She really comes into her own at Badminton and Burghley — at one-day open intermediate level she doesn’t feel like she has any scope and doesn’t give you any confidence, but she comes here and feels like a completely different horse.”

Australia’s Chris Burton had an exceptional day and was responsible for two of the five rounds that finished inside the optimum time. He is in third with Graf Liberty and fifth on Cooley Lands.

“I’m very lucky to ride both of these horses and I have fast horses,” said Chris. “Graf Liberty makes my job easy as he’s very manoeuvrable and goes in just a snaffle. I couldn’t believe how full of running he was at the end — whenever I wanted him to, he galloped away easily. Cooley Lands is an unbelievably fast across the ground — I was 10 seconds up everywhere so I tried to concentrate on chilling him out.”

Dressage leaders Oliver Townend and Cillnabradden Evo were clear but 31 seconds over the time and now sit in seventh on 32.1.

“He got the trip, which no one believed he would and I could not be happier for my team and his owner Sally-Anne Eggington,” said Oliver. “He was very, very good and genuine. He emptied out towards the end but he still came home quick as I looked after him all the way round.”

Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser, who were third after the dressage have dropped down to 16th after incurring 11 penalties for a broken frangible pin. They landed on the back of the triple bar jumping out of the bottom of The Lake and also added 8.8 time-faults.

“It was a multitude of small errors — 11 penalties is 11 penalties, it’s just one of those things,” said Tom, who also added there was confusion over his start time and that the clock had already started by the time he got into the main arena to leave the start box. He is unsure if he will appeal the time at the time of writing.

Andrew Nicholson is fourth on Swallow Springs thanks to a fast clear round, finishing one second inside the time.

“He’s a very, very good galloper and doesn’t pull,” said Andrew of the 11-year-old, who is tackling his first Badminton.

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The other two competitors to go inside the time were New Zealand’s Tim Price, who is sixth on Ringwood Sky Boy and his fellow Kiwi Virginia Thompson, who is eighth on Star Nouveau. Bill Levett is ninth with Lassban Diamond Lift, who is 18.4 penalties adrift of the leader, and Tina Cook is close behind him in 10th on Billy The Red.

The final horse inspection will take place tomorrow morning at 8.30am.

Pick up this week’s magazine (dated 2 May) for the full H&H Badminton form guide and check back to the H&H website for details and news of the final day of competition.

Huge shake-up of leaderboard at halfway stage of Badminton cross-country

Gemma Redrup — Sat, 04 May 2019 13:39:34 +0000

With the Eric Winter-designed cross-country track at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials proving influential today (4 May), the leaderboard has undergone a complete re-shuffle.

Please allow time for the three video interviews in this report to load

Piggy French leads the way at this stage after a great round aboard the 14-year-old mare, Vanir Kamira. The pair stopped the clock just two seconds over the 11min 45sec optimum time, to finish on a score of 26.8.

Badminton final scores

Australia’s Chris Burton is the only rider to finish with no time-penalties so far, stopping the clock bang on the optimum time with Graf Liberty. They sit just .9 of a penalty behind Piggy, and are second.

“I’m lucky really as my horse make my job very easy,” admitted Chris. “”He’s very manoeuvrable and goes in just a snaffle. I couldn’t believe how full of running he was at the end — whenever I wanted him to, he galloped away easily.”

Dressage leaders Oliver Townend and Cillnabradden Evo were clear but 31 seconds over the time and now sit in third on a score of 32.1.

William Fox-Pitt is fourth at the moment with Badminton first-timer, Little Fire. They added 14 time-faults to their 29.2 dressage and sit 14 penalties adrift of Piggy.

“I’m dead chuffed and he was jolly good,” said William. “He’s the reason I’m still going and why I’m still dreaming — anyone could ride him.”

Clare Abbott is fifth with Euro Prince (42.2), while New Zealand’s Jesse Campbell is sixth with Cleveland (43.).

Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser, who were third after the dressage have dropped down to seventh at the moment after incurring 11 penalties for a broken frangible pin. They landed on the back of the triple bar jumping out of the bottom of The Lake and also added 8.8 time-faults.

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Riders react to WEG cross-country course: ‘A real championship question; it’ll ride tough’

Pippa Roome — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 20:16:57 +0000

Riders have given their first reactions to Mark Phillips’ cross-country course at the World Equestrian Games (WEG).

The track includes a long uphill pull in the final two minutes, which will be a big ask for horses.

British pathfinder Gemma Tattersall said: “I’m very glad to be sat on a thoroughbred with the hill at the end, especially in this heat. Dimensionally it’s not huge, but I need to make sure Arctic Soul is looking where he’s going. There are lots of options and tricky combinations.”

US rider Boyd Martin said: “It’s a twisty, technical track at the beginning and you’ve got to leave a bit in the tank for the last two minutes. A lot will come down to heart and desire and my guy [Tserterleg] is a real trier.”

Gemma’s team-mate Piggy French added: “We are riding with team pressure, which is different to normal. The course needs respecting and there are plenty of places you can have sillies [a silly mistake].”

Australia’s Chris Burton echoed her, saying: “It’s a real championship question and I think it’s perfect. The team environment puts on so much pressure and I think it’ll ride tough. I’m on a green horse, so I’m as nervous as can be.”

Sam Watson, Ireland’s trailblazer, said that riders need to concentrate: “You can tell the difference between a three-star [as here] and four-star championship track and lots of people will be kicking themselves with hindsight. It’s a clever course with lots of combinations.”

Riders are agreed that the conditions and ground will be a major factor. While Hurricane Florence is not expected in this area of North Carolina until after cross-country day, the going is currently on the soft side after some heavy downpours.

“It’s anybody’s guess how the ground will ride and as we’ve seen, it can change within an hour. Hopefully there will be no more downpours, hopefully it will dry out a bit, hopefully it’s not too hot — there’s a lot of hoping going on,” said Mark Todd.

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The cross-country takes places on Saturday (15 September).

Horse & Hound has two journalists and a photographer in Tryon for WEG. Keep up to date with all the news on horseandhound.co.uk and in the magazine issues dated 20 and 27 September.

WEG eventing trot-up fashion: stylish dresses, men in uniform and clashy colours

Pippa Roome — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 03:01:57 +0000

Team uniforms were on display today (Wednesday, 12 September) at the first trot-up for the Mars-sponsored eventing at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA.

The female riders from the home nation, the USA, showed up in smart blue and white dresses. Here is Lynn Symansky with Donner.

Lynn Symansky and Donner. USA. Eventing. Team and individual Horse Inspection before dressage. Day 2. World Equestrian Games. WEG 2018 Tryon. North Carolina. USA. 12/09/2018. (Image credit: Elli Birch/Sportinpictures)

Belgian rider Lara de Liedekerke-Meier presents Alpaga D’Arville wearing a smart neckscarf and white trousers.

Lara De Liedekerke-Meier and Alpaga d'Arville. BEL. Eventing. Team and individual Horse Inspection before dressage. Day 2. World Equestrian Games. WEG 2018 Tryon. North Carolina. USA. 12/09/2018. (Image credit: Elli Birch/Sportinpictures)

We love a man in uniform — hello Lt Col Thibaut Vallette. The French team member rides Qing Du Briot ENE HN, his individual bronze medallist from the 2015 Blair European Championships.

Lt Col Thibaut Vallette and Qing du Briot ENE HN. FRA. Eventing. Team and individual Horse Inspection before dressage. Day 2. World Equestrian Games. WEG 2018 Tryon. North Carolina. USA. 12/09/2018. (Image credit: Elli Birch/Sportinpictures)

The Australian team outfits featured specially embroidered shirts — check out Event Rider Masters series champion Chris Burton as he trots up Cooley Lands.

Christopher Burton and Cooley Lands. AUS. Eventing. Team and individual Horse Inspection before dressage. Day 2. World Equestrian Games. WEG 2018 Tryon. North Carolina. USA. 12/09/2018. (Image credit: Elli Birch/Sportinpictures)

Stylish dresses were the order of the day for the ladies from Canada. Below, Hawley Bennett-Awad presents Jollybo.

Hawley Bennet-Awad and Jollybo. CAN.Eventing. Team and individual Horse Inspection before dressage. Day 2. World Equestrian Games. WEG 2018 Tryon. North Carolina. USA. 12/09/2018. (Image credit: Elli Birch/Sportinpictures)

China’s sole representative, Alex Hua Tian, looks cool in shades as he appears with Ballytiglea Vivendi.

Alex Hua Tian and Ballytiglea Vivendi. CHN.Eventing. Team and individual Horse Inspection before dressage. Day 2. World Equestrian Games. WEG 2018 Tryon. North Carolina. USA. 12/09/2018. (Image credit: Elli Birch/Sportinpictures)

Germany stuck to a classic blazer look — Julia Krajewski presents her Bramham CCI3* and Aachen CIC3* winner Chipmunk FRH.

Julia Krajewski Chipmonk FRH. GER. Eventing. Team and individual Horse Inspection before dressage. Day 2. World Equestrian Games. WEG 2018 Tryon. North Carolina. USA. 12/09/2018. (Image credit: Elli Birch/Sportinpictures)

Red trousers are the statement piece for Poland’s Pawel Spisak as he kicks off his event with Banderas.

Pawel Spisak and Banderas. POL. Eventing. Team and individual Horse Inspection before dressage. Day 2. World Equestrian Games. WEG 2018 Tryon. North Carolina. USA. 12/09/2018. (Image credit: Elli Birch/Sportinpictures)

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South Africa’s Victoria Scott looks smart in a green jacket and neckscarf as she presents Valtho Des Peupliers.

Victoria Scott and Valtho des Peupliers. RSA. Eventing. Team and individual Horse Inspection before dressage. Day 2. World Equestrian Games. WEG 2018 Tryon. North Carolina. USA. 12/09/2018. (Image credit: Elli Birch/Sportinpictures)

Japan made a statement with red trousers and pink shirts. Here are Ryuzo Kitajima and Queen Mary.

Ryuzo Kitajima and Queen Mary. JAP. Eventing. Team and individual Horse Inspection before dressage. Day 2. World Equestrian Games. WEG 2018 Tryon. North Carolina. USA. 12/09/2018. (Image credit: Elli Birch/Sportinpictures)

Another man in uniform — Italy’s Stefano Brecciaroli with Byrnesgrove First Diamond.

Stefano Brecciaroli and Byrnesgrove First Diamond. ITA. Eventing. Team and individual Horse Inspection before dressage. Day 2. World Equestrian Games. WEG 2018 Tryon. North Carolina. USA. 12/09/2018. (Image credit: Elli Birch/Sportinpictures)

And finally, Meyer’s Happy shows some high spirits, tossing his head as Ecuador’s Nicolas Wettstein leads him up the strip.

Nicolas Wettstein Meyer's Happy. ECU. Eventing. Team and individual Horse Inspection before dressage. Day 2. World Equestrian Games. WEG 2018 Tryon. North Carolina. USA. 12/09/2018. (Image credit: Elli Birch/Sportinpictures)

Pictures by Elli Birch/Sportinpictures

Horse & Hound has two journalists and a photographer in Tryon for WEG. Keep up to date with all the news on horseandhound.co.uk and in the next magazine issues — full report on the eventing including exclusive opinion and full analysis of all phases in next week’s edition (dated 20 September).

Top-10 contenders among latest Burghley withdrawals as final line-up takes shape

Pippa Roome — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 10:35:59 +0000

A number of horses who could have finished in the prize money are among the latest withdrawals from this week’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (30 August-2 September).

Britain’s Sarah Cohen has withdrawn Treason, who finished 12th at Burghley in 2016.

Euro Prince, the ride of Ireland’s Clare Abbott has also been pulled out of the event. He finished 13th at the event last year.

Tom McEwen has withdrawn both his rides, unsurprisingly — Strike Smartly started at Blair CCI3* last week instead, finishing second, and Toledo De Kerser has been selected for the British squad for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) two weeks after Burghley.

Chris Burton has also now withdrawn Cooley Lands, who he will ride on the Australian squad at WEG.

Another Cooley horse, Cooley Earl, has also come out of the draw as Georgie Strang has taken her ride out of contention.

Charlotte Bacon will have to wait for another year to make her Burghley debut after withdrawing Last Touch, while US competitor Boyd Martin will not bring forward Steady Eddie.

Fans will be sad not to see Becky Woolven’s characterful Charlton Down Riverdance, who was 17th here on their shared debut in 2016.

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Mark Todd has now withdrawn Leonidas II, so he will compete on Kiltubrid Rhapsody and NZB Campino.

His fellow New Zealander, Andrew Nicholson, still has three horses in the draw — Teseo, Swallow Springs and Jet Set IV — but he will only start on two of them.

Last year’s winner, Oliver Townend, still has five horses in the mix, but will only start on three, so he has to choose which ones out of Ballaghmor Class, Cooley SRS, Cooley Master Class, MHS King Joules and Ulises. He said last week that the horses would have a gallop on Monday (yesterday) and a jump today before he made his decision.

Full Burghley preview, including course walk with Blyth Tait and complete form guide, in the issue of H&H now on sale (dated 23 August).

Chris Burton’s £46,000 payday: Aussie wins Blair ERM leg and takes overall series title

Pippa Roome — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 15:38:03 +0000

Chris Burton won the final leg of the 2018 Event Rider Masters today (Sunday, 26 August) at the Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials and so confirmed himself as winner of the series. In total, he won £46,000 — £16,000 for the leg victory and £30,000 for the series.

The Australian put in the only round inside the time across country in pouring rain to move up from fourth after showjumping, riding the syndicate-owned Graf Liberty.

“I’m delighted with him — I was very nervous as I was worried about doing something silly like jumping the wrong fence,” he said. “I’d like to thank the owners for all their support.”

The showjumping caused a shake-up in this class. Dressage leader and world number one Oliver Townend (Cillnabradden Evo) and runner-up Chris both had the pink upright at fence five down, which left Emily King and Dargun in pole position heading into the cross-country.

But Emily pulled up early on course, leaving Chris as the winner. Oliver took second in the leg after finishing with 2.8 time-faults on Sally-Anne Egginton’s horse.

“It’s very special to be second in the final leg — people say Cillnabradden Evo had a wobble earlier this season, but who wouldn’t after such consistency?” said Oliver.

Emily Philp took third for Britain with the second-fastest round (2.4 time-faults), riding her father Nigel’s Camembert.

“I was just daring myself not to take a pull — it was a bit scary, but he was incredible,” she said.

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Tom McEwen tops Blair CCI3* after cross-country: ‘Strike Smartly was phenomenal’

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Oliver Townend leads Blair ERM after dressage despite test feeling ‘disastrous’

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Britain’s Laura Collett finished eighth in the leg on London 52 and secured second on the series leaderboard.

“London 52 was awesome and he’s an unbelievably exciting horse for the future,” she said.

Tim Price finished third in the series after sixth in the Blair leg on Wesko.

Full report from Blair in next week’s H&H (issue dated 30 August), plus our complete World Equestrian Games preview.

Oliver Townend leads Blair ERM after dressage despite test feeling ‘disastrous’

Pippa Roome — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 11:57:20 +0000

Oliver Townend leads after the Event Rider Masters (ERM) dressage at the Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials, despite feeling his test hadn’t gone to plan.

Riding Sally-Anne Egginton’s Cillnabradden Evo, Oliver scored 26.4, which gives him a margin of 0.5 of a penalty over second-placed Chris Burton.

“He wasn’t with me at all, but it’s nice if you feel like you’re having a disaster and you come out in the lead,” said Oliver. “He’s feeling very bright, which is good for some bits but not for dressage.”

Australia’s Chris Burton performed an elegant test with the syndicate-owned Graf Liberty.

“He can do a very good test — he’s nice and relaxed,” said Chris, who is the current ERM series leader going into this final leg. “It does put the pressure on when you put a series together like this.”

Emily King holds third with Jane del Missier’s Dargun on 27.1.

“He’s such a special little horse — he’s listening to you all the time and every year he gets stronger so he can perform the movements with more flow and cadence,” said Emily.

Laura Collett, who is second on the series leaderboard, is in fifth with London 52.

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Clean sweep: Oliver Townend holds top three places after CIC3* dressage at Blair Castle

The British rider ruled in Scotland today, leading the way on Kentucky CCI4* winner Cooley Master Class

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Blyth Tait walks the 2018 Burghley Horse Trials cross-country course

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New Zealand’s eventing power couple Tim and Jonelle Price were left jokingly wondering if they were feeding their horses too much when both Wesko and Cloud Dancer were a little over the top in the arena. Tim, who is third on the series leaderboard, holds eighth position and Jonelle is in ninth.

Ground jury president Les Smith admitted he “expected better” from the today’s dressage.

“We had some good work out of some, but the horses were fairly tense,” he said.

Full report from Blair in H&H next week (issue dated 30 August), plus complete World Equestrian Games preview.

Badminton winners head experienced Australian eventing squad for WEG

Lucy Elder — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 11:08:40 +0000

Sam Griffiths and his 2014 Badminton-winning super-mare Paulank Brockagh have been selected for their third back-to-back championship squad.

Sam and the 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse, who he co-owns with Steve and Dinah Posford and Jules Carter, won individual bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Equestrian Australia revealed its five-strong contingent for the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon (13 to 16 September).

Joining Sam on the squad is Chris Burton, riding Kate Walls’ Cooley Lands, with whom he won the 2017 Blenheim CIC3* for eight- and nine-year-olds.

Andrew Hoy will make his 12th senior championship appearance riding the nine-year-old Vassily De Lassos, who he co-owns with Paula and David Evans.

Bill Levett is named with the Irish Sport Horse gelding Lassban Diamond Lift, owned by Elisabeth Murdoch, who also co-owns British squad member Tina Cook’s ride Billy The Red.

Completing the squad is Shane Rose and Virgil, who has won seven international events during his career, including five CIC3*s.

The 13-year-old gelding, owned by Michelle Hasibar and Shane, has been campaigned in both hemispheres. He won Blair Castle’ Event Rider Masters leg last year, adding another three-star victory to his list of achievements at Camden in New South Wales in April.

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Surprise omission from British World Equestrian Games eventing team

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Olympic champion returns as fierce Kiwi squad named for WEG

Two Olympic champions, the 2018 Badminton winners and the top-ranked Kiwi eventer are among those on New Zealand’s WEG squad

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Germany reveals on-form eventing squad for World Equestrian Games

Michael Jung and his three-time Kentucky CCI4*-winning ride FischerRocana FST head the German eventing squad

The three reserves are Emma McNab on Fernhill Tabasco, Robert Palm with Koko Story and Amanda Ross riding Koko Popping Candy.

“Congratulations to the five eventing combinations announced today going forward to WEG in Tryon in September,” said chef d’equipe Stuart Tinney.

“As a team we are looking forward to the challenge of the competition ahead, and to hopefully achieving our qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.”

The Aussie squad now head to a training camp at Hartpury in Gloucestershire before they fly out to the States.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Cross-country speed proves key in battle for British Open at Festival of British Eventing

Lucy Higginson — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 18:46:22 +0000

With two of eventing’s best speed demons on his tail in the British Open — and new Australian sponsors Magic Millions egging him on — Christopher Burton clinched his second British Open title with the fastest round of the day at the Festival of British Eventing on Trisha Rickards’ Polystar I.

Once Oliver Townend marred his impressive dressage mark of 19pen on ERM specialist Cillnabradden Evo with two showjumps down, Burton snuck ahead with a jumping clear and had no intentions of giving way. Riding economical lines across country with his foot to the floor he finished easily ahead, 9 seconds quicker than the next fastest combination.

“I just love that horse — he is a delight to ride,” said Christopher. “I find you ride better and faster when you run in reverse order like this.”

Izzy Taylor’s £12,000 second place on her Blenheim ERM winner Be Touchable was some compensation for two previously sticky rides in the same class. She was then taken away to be dope tested before her final ride.

“This weekend Burto just beat me comprehensively, but when I look back on it later, Be Touchable will be one of my horses of a lifetime,” she said. “He’s so consistent.”

In third place was Ludwig Svennerstal with Stinger, his Wiesbarden three-star winner and reserve ride for WEG. They rose from 15th after dressage with a double clear and quick time.

“It’s hard to ride fast here over a tough track and terrain, but they’ve done what they could with the ground — you have to be realistic this summer.”

Emily King on the in-form Dargun — her under 25 winner at Bramham — also leapfrogged up the leader board, from 13th after dressage to finish fourth in her first British Open.

ROR/NTF Retrained Racehorse Event Championship

Andrew Downes clinched this valuable class by just 0.1pen on perhaps the most prolific ex-racehorse currently on the circuit, the aptly named Gold Nugget, owned by Jane Moss.

“He’s a funny horse — he shows no interest in racing another horse, but he’s very quick cross-country,” said Andrew, who retrained him straight out of training. Crowned last year’s RoR Elite Eventing Champion, he is now advanced and aiming for Blair.

Unusually, this class involves a second round of showjumping the day after the first showjumping and cross-country rounds.

Fractionally behind him was Dream Big, who started eventing with New Zealand’s Lizzie Green before joining Tom McEwen’s yard when she moved back home. Her owner, Magda Gut, first came across the mare while working for Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, who had her in training.

“She’s doing intermediates this year and is improving every time out with Tom,” said Magda.

“At one stars she’s been caught out by water but she was very good here,” said Tom.

TopSpec Challenge for the Corinthian Cup

In the third running of the TopSpec Challenge for the Corinthian Cup, a novice championship for riders who have not competed at intermediate for at least five years, East Sussex’s Lucy Wheeler took the spoils on Graham Jack’s Belgian warmblood King Creole VD N Ranch.

Lucy works in a hunting and racing yard and events in the summer months. She has ridden this horse since a youngster.

“He’s quite arrogant — you cannot argue with him — he’s just had to grow up and this season he hasn’t been out of the top six,” she explained.

Runner up was showjumper Morgan Kent, who is in her first season eventing, with Felda, who beat former Mitsubishi Cup finalist Harriet Ford and According To Archie on the same score by dint of her time being closest to the optimum.

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(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Tom McEwen claims his first Festival of British Eventing title

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The advanced class was taken by Ireland’s Elizabeth Power on her own and Kate Horgan’s Soladoun, albeit after nine others withdrew before cross-country including the two riders lying first and second.

“He got a knock and missed the whole spring,” said Elizabeth. “He really needs all the corners and arrowheads today before Burghley.”

Second was local rider Becky Wolven on DHI Babette K, who contested the intermediate championship here last year.

“She’s small but nippy and has such a long stride — she’s the sweetest horse.”

Full report from the Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 9 August

Disaster for Germany and Britain as New Zealand claim Nations Cup glory in Aachen

Polly Bryan — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 16:16:07 +0000

A hugely influential cross-country phase caused favourites and overnight leaders Germany to plummet down to fifth, and hand the Aachen Nations Cup victory to New Zealand.

All four of the home side fell foul to Rüdiger Schwarz’s deceptively tricky course, with Julia Krajewski eliminated after three refusals on her team ride Samourai Du Thot. Last year’s winners Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD had trouble at the same combination of skinnies with a run-out. Andreas Dibowski (FRH Corrida) and Kai Ruder (Colani Sunrise) jumped clear but each racked up the time penalties, with Kai’s 12-year-old gelding refusing to leave the start box for a full 40 seconds.

However, Julia on her second ride, Chipmunk (above), gave the home crowd what they came for, with a super round on the 10-year-old Contendro son to clinch the individual lead.

“My first round really didn’t go to plan and was frustrating, but I had to remind myself that it was another horse, and Chipmunk is very different to Sam,” Julia said. “He’s a young horse and I was thrilled with how he answered all my questions.”

Australia’s Chris Burton and Quality Purdey were the only combination to get inside the time, by just 0.01 of a second. Having raced into the lead, and seen the overnight runner-up Tim Lips and Bayro retire at fence 4, Chris had an anxious wait as Julia completed her round. The roar from the crowds as she crossed the finish line told him all he needed to know – despite clocking up 6.4 time faults, it was enough to secure her the victory by just 0.6 of a mark.

New Zealand produced an impressively consistent performance to rise up the rankings and take the team win. Clarke Johnstone (Balmoral Sensation), Mark Todd (Kiltubrid Rhapsody) and Tim Price (Cekatinka, below) all jumped clear, with the latter finishing third individually.

“The priority was a solid team performance and it’s thrilling that we’ve all gone out and delivered everything we wanted for the team,” said Tim.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

It wasn’t a good day for Britain, with the team finishing sixth. The best performance across country came from team first-timer Imogen Murray, who had been the drop score overnight, but finished as best Brit in 24th. She and Ivar Gooden jumped clear around what she described as an “intense” course, but was unlucky to pick up 20 penalties for a circle before the first water complex, that she thought she had got away with.

“I had a bit of steering malfunction, and that cost us time too,” she told H&H.

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Oliver Townend was best of the Brits overnight, but a very sticky jump over the skinny element of the first water resulted in him pitching over Ballaghmor Class’s side, and into the water. Both Oliver and the 11-year-old grey gelding were uninjured in the fall.

Luck was also not on the side of Britain’s other riders; Gemma Tattersall and Pamero 4 had a run-out at the skinny element of the second water complex, and Sarah Bullimore ran out at the same combination of skinnies that caught out the German riders, after Reve Du Rouet got distracted and didn’t really lock on to the fence.

“He was fabulous but he’s difficult with crowds and when we came in to that fence there were so many people and at the last minute he lost concentration and got confused,” Sarah said.

Don’t miss the full report from Aachen in next week’s H&H, on sale on 26 July.

Barbury victor repeats last year’s result with confidence-building win: ‘It was game on’

Pippa Roome — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 15:58:09 +0000

France’s Tom Carlile repeated his Event Rider Masters win from last year at the St James’s Place Barbury Horse Trials this weekend (7-8 July), rebuilding the confidence of the grey stallion Upsilon.

The pair have had some issues with run-outs across country, starting at last year’s Europeans and the problem reappeared at Arville two weeks ago. But a new training plan with French team trainer Thierry Touzaint has put them back on track.

Tom said he knew the horse was “in” when he had no issues at fence five, the SAP Brush with Technology — a big brush followed by a steep downhill on a left-hand curve to a triple brush arrowhead.

“The fact he snapped out of my fingers through the flags showed me it was game on,” he said.

Tom was equal first after dressage, showjumped clear and then had the second-fastest round across country for 1.2 time-faults. Joint dressage leader Liz Halliday-Sharp, of the USA, finished fifth after one rolled pole in the showjumping and a steadier cross-country round.

Gemma Tattersall was the best Brit in second on Clive Smith’s Pamero 4, adding just 1.6 time-faults to her second-placed dressage score.

“He was mega — I’m so so happy with him,” she said. “I had the most awesome ride.”

Gemma Tattersall douses Event Rider Masters winner Tom Carlile in champagne at the St James’ Place Barbury Horse Trials 2018 (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Chris Burton was third for Australia on Trisha Rickards’ Polystar I, who was following up on an ERM win in Arville. They were the only pair to make the time across country.

Nicola Wilson won the other CIC3* section on James and Jo Lambert’s Bulana. She was another putting a difficult spring behind her as the European individual bronze medallist has reverted to being strong across country at some events this year.

“I’m relieved and hope we can continue down that road,” she said.

This section boasted a British one-two-three as 19-year-old Richard Coney scored his most high-profile senior result with second on Kananaskis and Gemma Tattersall took third on Chris Stone’s eight-year-old Chilli Knight.

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The three CIC2* sections, which concluded yesterday, were won by Adam Harvey (Picasso V), Hannah Bate (Fanta Boy) and Chris Burton (Bahira M).

Full report from Barbury in H&H this week (issue dated 12 July), including more on how Tom and Nicola have turned their form around.

Shane Rose claims an Aussie first at Blair as Gemma Tattersall secures ERM series title

Pippa Roome — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 15:06:13 +0000

Shane Rose and Chris Burton became the first Australians to finish on the Event Rider Masters (ERM) podium when they scored a one-two in the ERM at the Blair Castle Equi-Trek International Horse Trials.

Shane moved up to third by showjumping clear this morning on his own and Michelle Hasibar’s Virgil II and then took top spot by finishing cross-country with just 2.8 time-faults.

“Chris and I walked the course together and felt the ground was worst from fences two to five. He was really clagged [tired] at fence four, but once he was in the gravel in the woods he travelled well and except for fence four — which was a bit wild — that’s as good a ride as I’ve had on him,” said Shane.

Chris had the fastest round — just two seconds over the optimum time — to take second on the syndicate-owned Graf Liberty.

“He’s always been a very competitive horse and the highlight is his cross-country,” said Chris. “Shane didn’t have the best start in Britain this year [he lost his father and had Shanghai Joe put down after he was injured at Badminton] and now he’s heading home, so I’m so happy for him — it couldn’t have gone better in my opinion.”

Oliver Townend took third on Angela Hislop’s Cooley Master Class, just ahead of fellow Brit Gemma Tattersall, whose fourth place here on Clive Smith’s Pamero 4 secured her the series title ahead of the final leg at Blenheim.

“It’s an incredible feeling to have it wrapped up here — I can go to Blenheim and really enjoy it riding one my favourite horses, Chico Bella P,” said Gemma.

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This morning’s showjumping shook up the leaderboard, with all the top three after dressage leaving the podium.

The leader, Germany’s Niklas Bschorer (Tom Tom Go 3), had the Land Rover oxer at fence two down as well as a later upright, plus three time-faults, to drop to eighth (he finished 14th with 26 time-faults across country), while Mark Todd’s three down and two time-penalties sent him and Kiltubrid Rhapsody plummeting from second to 16th.

“He’s usually a very good jumper, but he’s better on firmer ground where he can spring off it as he’s a big horse and slow in his action,” said Mark, who then withdrew.

Franky Reid-Warrilow led going into the cross-country after a showjumping clear and finished sixth with Dolley Whisper after clocking up 16.4 time-faults.

Full report from Blair in H&H next week (issue dated 31 August).

Reigning Burghley champion out of contention and major contender withdrawn

Gemma Redrup — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 11:17:20 +0000

The 2016 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials champion will not be attempting to defend his title, as he has been withdrawn from this year’s event (31 August – 3 September).

Nobilis 18, ridden by Australian eventer Chris Burton, has only been seen competing twice since his four-star victory last autumn. The first was at Farley Hall Horse Trials in Berkshire in June, where he jumped a slow double clear in the open intermediate. The second event was in the CICO3* at Aachen, where 12-year-old Nobilis, owned by Sue Lawson, and Chris jumped a speedy double clear for eventual sixth.

Chris, who was on the bronze medal-winning Australian team at the Rio Olympics and finished fifth individually, led last year’s Burghley throughout but cut it fine, needing all the four fences he had in hand in the showjumping phase to finish on 49.4 penalties.

After his victory, he said: “On Wednesday I walked up Winners’ Avenue and saw all those old boys’ names and thought how amazing it would be to have your name on a plaque one day.”

Chris was unavailable to comment on the gelding’s withdrawal.

Another high profile contender to be withdrawn today (23 August) is Qalao Des Mers, the ride of French rider Maxime Livio.

The 13-year-old Selle Francais, owned by Didier and Pascale Livio, would have been a real top 10 contender for the Burghley title on the back of his recent four-star form.

Notable results include second at Rolex Kentucky this spring, a win in the four-star at Pau last October and second in the four-star at Luhmühlen in June 2016.

Who else is in the mix?

These withdrawals mean there are 73 remaining combinations entered for Burghley, including 2015 winner Michael Jung with La Biosthetique – Sam FBW.

Other notable entries include Andrew Nicholson, whose possible rides include this year’s Badminton winner, Nereo, Teseo and Qwanza, although one horse will be withdrawn before the event.

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European team gold medallist Tina Cook has Star Witness and Calvino entered, while her team-mate Oliver Townend has Samuel Thomas II, Ballaghmor Class and Cooley SRS. It is suspected the latter horse will be withdrawn as he competed at the European Championships last week.

Don’t miss H&H’s Burghley preview issues — course walk with Mary King and interview with event director Liz Inman in this week’s issue (24 August) and 16-page pull-out with form guide for every entry in the following issue (31 August).

Badminton winner, Olympic champion and Zara Tindall among latest Burghley entries

Pippa Roome — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 09:59:59 +0000

A clutch of top-class entries has flooded in for the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (31 August-3 September) over the past couple of days.

Andrew Nicholson, who has won Burghley five times, has entered three horses for the event — this year’s Badminton winner Nereo, plus Qwanza and Teseo — as he attempts to take the title again for New Zealand.

For the home side, Zara Tindall will come forward with London 2012 team silver medallist High Kingdom, who finished 10th here in 2011 and could well go better this time.

Germany’s Michael Jung will return to Burghley with La Biosthetique-Sam FBW. Sam is now 17 and has an unbelievable record including two individual Olympic golds, world and European individual gold, Badminton (2016) and Burghley (2015) titles and two seconds at Badminton, including this year.

Last year’s winner, Australia’s Chris Burton, has entered Nobilis 18 to defend his title.

New Zealand’s Tim Price continues to seek his first British four-star title and has a strong hand in Ringwood Sky Boy (second here in 2015) and Xavier Faer (third at Badminton this spring). His compatriot Mark Todd has entered his two experienced four-star campaigners, his Rio ride Leonidas II and London team bronze medallist NZB Camino.

Some of the horses long-listed for Britain’s team for the European Championships in Strzegom have also been entered for Burghley. They include Toledo De Kerser (Tom McEwen), One Two Many (Nicola Wilson), Arctic Soul (Gemma Tattersall), Billy The Red and Calvino II (Tina Cook). Tina also has Star Witness, who is not long-listed, entered at Burghley.

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France’s Maxime Livio will make his Burghley debut on Qalao Des Mers, with whom he won Pau CCI4* last year and has finished second in the four-stars at Kentucky and Luhmühlen. He will be a strong contender for the title, despite being a first-timer.

The ballot for Burghley closes at noon tomorrow (28 July), so final entries will be made over the next 24 hours.

‘I can’t believe it’: Burghley winner leads the way at Badminton

Gemma Redrup — Fri, 05 May 2017 17:16:59 +0000

The Badminton leader board has experienced yet another re-shuffle following the final afternoon session of dressage at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

2016 Burghley winner Chris Burton produced an accurate and mistake-free test riding the 12-year-old Irish sports horse Graf Liberty to score 32.9.

“I can’t believe it, I’m so proud of him,” said Australian rider Chris. “Really I’m so happy. I sat on him for the first time this week on Wednesday to keep him fresh. We went into the main arena and his periscope went up a bit with the crowds and atmosphere, but then he went back to work, which was great.”

Chris Burton and Graf Liberty (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Chris has a commanding 3.5-penalty lead over second-placed German, Ingrid Klimke riding Horseware Hale Bob OLD who lies on a score of 36.4.

Badminton final scores

“‘Bobby’ was so brave as he found it hard to walk and relax in the collecting ring, but as soon as we went into the main arena he was totally with me,” said Ingrid. “He had got a bit excited by the crowd who were clapping after Jonty [Evans]’s test, so I gave him a bit of time before the bell went for us to give him a good look around. I’m so pleased with him.”

Rounding off the top three was crowd favourite Jonty Evans. The Irishman rode the test of his life on Cooley Rorkes Drift to score 37.2.

An emotional Jonty, who hasn’t competed at Badminton since his debut here in 2007, said: “I can’t believe it — this horse is so special. I looked up at the score board in our free walk and saw we had been given two eights and a seven and thought to myself, ‘right, this is going OK’. It was only at the end when I saw I’d been awarded two nines for my riding that I thought, ‘oh my God!’.

“My horse showed he could handle pressure in Rio [where the pair were ninth individually] and I’d told people earlier this spring that if I turned up on the day, so would he and I really don’t know if he could have done any more today — it means a lot to ride a horse like him, especially when people told us as a six-year-old he wouldn’t move well enough for the job.”

Fourth place is held by Belgian rider Karin Donckers on a score of 37.3. She was the lunchtime leader riding Fletcha Van’t Verahof, while Michael Jung lies in ninth on La Biosthetique-Sam FBW on 40 penalties.

Alex Bragg and Tom McEwen remain the best Brits in equal 18th position.

Continued below…

(Image credit: TREVOR MEEKS)

‘The biggest Badminton I’ve ever seen’: riders’ first reaction to the cross-country course

Find out what some of the world's top

The cross-country gets underway at 11.30am tomorrow morning (Saturday 6 May).

Don’t miss this week’s H&H (on sale now), including a 16-page Badminton pull-out with full form guide, dressage test, judge’s analysis, course map and more.

5 top tips for making the time cross-country

Pippa Roome — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 12:17:40 +0000

The fastest event rider in the world Chris Burton shares the training principles that allow him to consistently beat the clock

Burghley winner Chris Burton is the fastest rider in the world, according to eventing statistics company EquiRatings. At the International Eventing Forum at Hartpury on Monday (6 February 2017) he explained how he trains and rides his horses to consistently achieve speedy times across country…

1. In Forumula 1, to succeed you need to be brave, have good lines and good brakes. That’s what we need too. Good brakes are what we need so that we can gallop to fences and slow down late, rather than having to waste time setting up further from the jump.

2. Riders shouldn’t kick all the time or horses stop listening. It’s the same with husbands!

3. Legs are for going, hands are for stopping. I want it to happen off light aids — I believe in happy horses and harmony — but sometimes that means giving a stronger aid when you are teaching the horse if he doesn’t respond to a gentle one. We ask them to slow down by pulling — if they don’t stop, pull harder. It’s simple! (Chris warned at the start of his talk that it wasn’t going to be politically correct, in doing so acknowledging that such a blunt approach might not be to everyone’s taste. But it was clear he was training towards ultimately being able to use extremely light aids, rather than having to continually nag with stronger ones.)

4. Once a horse understands the rein and leg aid, you can teach a seat aid — I use a light seat aid for instructions such as halting from canter in the dressage test as the judge can’t see it and the horse responds without resistance.

5. Sometimes slow is quick — if you can make a tighter turn to and away from a fence from a slower pace, the overall result will be a faster round than one where you are travelling faster but have to cover more ground (see video above).

Continued below…

Fun, focus and footwork: must-have cross-country riding advice from Lucinda Green

10 ways to improve your cross-country timing this season

Emily King’s 14 top tips for cross-country course walking

Chris Burton has won Adelaide CCI4* twice and took top spot at Burghley CCI4* last year. He was fifth at the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 and a member of the bronze medal-winning Australian team.

Next year’s International Eventing Forum is on 5 February 2018.

All you need to know about 2016 Burghley winner Chris Burton

Madeleine Silver — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 13:21:21 +0000

Australia’s Chris Burton hit the headlines this weekend when he clinched the 2016 Burghley title — his first British four-star win — aboard Nobilis 18. Find out all you need to know about this Antipodean eventing star

1. Thirty-four-year-old event rider Chris Burton is based at Grubbins Farm near Godalming in Surrey with his wife Rebekah Thompson, but he grew up on a grain farm near Toowoomba in Queensland, Australia.

2. His mother was a great horsewoman, who taught Chris and his older brother Karl to ride. While Karl used to like herding the cattle, Chris used to spend his time looking for logs to jump on his pony. Karl is now a professional camp drafting and cutting rider.

3. For his third birthday Chris was given a naughty pony called Clancy, and then at the age of six he was given Spice, a part-quarter horse, who could do everything from winning bending races to showjumping, which she did to the ripe old age of 35.

4. When he left school Chris had the full-thoroughbred Deo Juvante and moved south to become a working pupil for Kevin McNab. He credits Deo Juvante with taking him from junior and one-stars through to four-star level.

5. The Australian is not short of awards and accolades — between 2005 and 2010 he was named the New South Wales Eventing Rider of the Year on four occasions and he won the 2005 Australian Eventer Rider of the Year award. In 2008 he won the Anna Savage Medal, which is awarded to Australia’s ‘best and fairest event rider’.

6. Chris remembers winning Adelaide CCI4* on Newsprint in 2009 as a big turning point — it was his first major three-day win. He went on to win the title again in 2013 with TS Jamaimo, becoming the first competitor to win a four-star event on a catch ride horse making its debut at that level (the horse was usually ridden by the injured Will Enzinger).

7. In 2011 Chris decided to move to the UK in preparation for the London Olympics, where he was initially based with Sam and Lucy Griffiths in Dorset. In Greenwich he finished 16th individually with Holstein Park Leilani and sixth as part of the Australian team.

8. His favourite place to compete is Aachen (pictured, above) — for its great hospitality and the ability to watch the dressage, jumping and driving competitions while you are there.

9. In 2014 Chris was selected to represent Australia at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy with TS Jamaimo — but unfortunately had to withdraw when the horse developed a fever, following a bout of colic.

10. Chris made history in 2015 when he set the world record for the lowest finishing score at a three-day event. At the CCI2* in Camphire, he finished on his dressage score of 24.5 with Santano II.

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

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11. At the Rio Olympics last month, Chris took the team bronze medal aboard Santano II and finished fifth individually — having been in gold medal position after the cross-country.

12. Chris might now be a Burghley winner… but his competition career hasn’t been all plain sailing. “I once went into the main ring thinking I was being sent into the warm up ring. It was not until I saw the judge’s cars that I realised there was no warm up ring and I was about to ride my test,” he remembers.

Don’t miss the full report from Burghley 2016 in 8 September issue of Horse & Hound magazine

Chris Burton wins Burghley — but cuts it fine in showjumping

Pippa Roome — Sun, 04 Sep 2016 14:56:53 +0000

Australia’s Chris Burton won his first British four-star this afternoon at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials — but ended up cutting it much finer than expected.

By the time the 34-year-old entered the arena he had four fences in hand, but Nobilis 18 started to rack up the faults at the second part of the double at fence four. He then also knocked the first element of the treble at eight, the gate at 12 and the final oxer.

“He warmed up ok — of course he was a little bit flat, but he’s basically careful, so I was expecting him to go well,” said Chris. “But in the end he got a bit tired and had a few down.

Chris said that even in his wildest dreams he didn’t expect to lead this competition throughout.

“On Wednesday I walked up Winners’ Avenue and saw all those old boys’ names and thought how amazing it would be to have your name on a plaque one day,” he said.

Chris Burton and Nobilis 18 win Burghley 2016. Picture by Peter Nixon (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

It is more than 25 years since a rider won Burghley with as many four fences down.

Chris finished on 49.4 with his own, Sue Lawson and Carolyn Townsend’s Nobilis 18. One more fence down would have handed victory to New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson, who finished on 53.2 with one down and two time-faults. This is the third time Nereo has finished second at Burghley.

The final showjumping over Richard Jeffery’s track was expensive for a lot of riders, partly because the ground was sticky as good weather today dried it up after yesterday’s rain.

Jonelle Price claimed third with Classic Moet for New Zealand, up from fourth overnight. She had four faults for knocking down the upright in the middle of the treble at fence eight.

“The track was more technical than we’ve seen here for a few years,” she said. “The terrain on the cross-country is is always influential here and you notice its influence with the top ones in the showjumping who’ve gone faster than the rest of the field. But the horses felt surprisingly good this morning so I think it was more that it was a more difficult track than we’ve had recently.”

Jonelle’s husband Tim dropped two places to finish fourth on last year’s runner-up Ringwood Sky Boy, who had three down. Cedric Lyard’s clear earned him fifth with Cadeau Du Roi for France, with Bettina Hoy sixth for Germany after eight faults (fences seven and 11).

Oliver Townend was the best Brit in seventh with a clear on Sue Chadwick and Komfi’s Samuel Thomas II, while Tina Cook took 10th riding Star Witness, who just had the gate down. Sarah Cohen (Treason) was 12th and the next Brit was first-timer Becky Woolven in 17th, with the endearing Charlton Down Riverdance.

Continued below…

H&H Live: Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2016

Burghley judge explains dressage elimination: ‘We have a responsibility to horse welfare, but it’s not something we do lightly’

Cross-country juggles Burghley leaderboard, but Chris Burton well ahead: ‘I was nervous’

New Zealand’s Caroline Powell (Onwards And Upwards) took eighth and Mark Todd (NZB Campino) ninth.

Full 17-page report of Burghley in H&H next week (dated 8 September), including expert comment from ground jury president Sue Baxter and cross-country course-designer Mark Phillips, as well as thrills and spills photos and full analysis of every phase.

Cross-country juggles Burghley leaderboard, but Chris Burton well ahead: ‘I was nervous’

Pippa Roome — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 16:35:36 +0000

Chris Burton is well ahead of the opposition after cross-country day at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.

“I was very nervous today,” he admitted. “I sat in the rider’s tent and watched a heap of horses and riders and that didn’t help! Then I went back to the truck and said to my wife, ‘Shall we just curl up in bed and have the afternoon off?'”

The Australian rider had a fabulous, forward ride round Mark Phillips’ cross-country track on his own, Sue Lawson and Carolyn Townsend’s Nobilis 18. He finished with 3.2 time-faults to add to his leading dressage score of 30.2.

“The distances came to me and he’s an easy horse to ride forwards to a fence,” added Chris, who had planned to take the long route at the final element of the Land Rover Trout Hatchery (fence 21d) but changed his mind to go straight as he was so far down on his minute markers in the early stages of the course.

Although Chris has won Adelaide CCI4* twice, but is bidding for his first British four-star victory.

Chris Burton and Nobilis at Burghley 2016. Picture by Peter Nixon (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

It rained for most of the day today, but the ground on the track held up well and did not unduly influence the competition.

New Zealand’s Tim Price holds second after his six time-faults elevated him from seventh after cross-country with Ringwood Sky Boy, the runner-up here last year. The horse belongs to the rider, rider, Robert Taylor, Varenna Allen and Selwood.com. Tim was making amends for a fall on the flat with the horse in Rio.

“I was excited after riding my first horse,” said Tim, who had one stop on the less experienced Bango. “He’s more of an unknown quantity and it was an educational round, while I know this horse inside out, he’s gone well here before and I was looking forward to riding him. He coped well with the ground, grew a leg when he needed to and got a second wind when he needed to.”

Tim’s compatriot Andrew Nicholson is in third with Deborah Sellar’s experienced Nereo, who had 12 time-faults but retained his dressage position.

“My time-faults weren’t to do with the ground — basically I just didn’t go fast enough,” he said. “I’ve always had a soft spot for this horse. [Triple Burghley winner] Avebury was lovely to ride and very gentle; Nereo is a big striding horse and has always found everything a bit harder. But I’ve lugged him all round the world and whenever he’s had to come up with the goods he’s done so. It felt like he was reading the numbers for me today.”

Nobody made the time today. Tim’s wife Jonelle and Classic Moet were the fastest, finishing four seconds over the target. They were also the speediest pair at the 2014 World Equestrian Games. Their prowess earned them a rise from 22nd after dressage to fourth.

Bettina Hoy is fifth for Germany after 19.2 time-faults with Designer 10 and Mark Todd is sixth for New Zealand on Campino, who had 16.8 time-penalties.

Oliver Townend is the best British rider in ninth with the second of his three rides, Sue Chadwick and Komfi’s Samuel Thomas II. The horse has 9.6 time-faults.

Oliver could have grabbed second with a fast round on his last horse, MHS King Joules, who was the final challenger on course. But things came slightly unstuck when he missed the corner at the Land Rover Trout Hatchery (fence 21bc) and took the long route, although he was judged not to have crossed his tracks and was unpenalised. But he then had a run-out at the hedge bonnet at Discovery Valley (fence 24c).

‘Harder work than I expected’

The cross-country proved extremely influential. From 68 starters, 40 finished the course and 28 had jumping clears, while designer Mark Phillips said the aim would be for 50% of starters to jump clear.

“It was harder work for the riders than I thought it was going to be,” said Mark. “The combinations required forward riding on the way in and the leading three riders did that better than anybody else.”

Mark said he was disappointed with the number of falls — 12 (seven unseated riders, five horse falls) — and felt there were a number of instances where riders were thrown forward on landing at fences and paid the price, but that others were unlucky.

Among those who were particularly unfortunate was Sam Griffiths, who was eighth after dressage with Happy Times, but had to pull up due to his stirrup breaking early on course. His fellow Aussie, Andrew Hoy (sixth after dressage on The Blue Frontier), was one of those who fell on landing in the water at the Land Rover Trout Hatchery. Brits Pippa Funnell and Olivia Wilmot also came to grief here, although neither got a soaking.

Continued below…

H&H Live: Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2016

Chris Burton leads at Burghley after dressage; Oliver Townend best Brit in fifth

Walk the 2016 Burghley cross-country course

Australia’s Paul Tapner was taken to hospital with a possible shoulder injury after a fall with his first ride Up In The Air at Herbert’s Hollow, but nothing was broken and the horse was reported to be back in his stable eating hay soon after the accident.

Replay the cross-country and follow the showjumping with H&H Live

Full 17-page report of Burghley in H&H next week (dated 8 September), including expert comment from ground jury president Sue Baxter and cross-country course-designer Mark Phillips, as well as thrills and spills photos and full analysis of every phase.

Burghley cross-country times released: leader runs at 3.29pm

Pippa Roome — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 17:20:06 +0000

The cross-country times for tomorrow’s sport at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials have been released.

The day’s action is kicking off at 11.15am and Tom Crisp will be the first person on course, riding Coolys Luxury.

The second pair, Paul Sims on Glengarnock, go five minutes later. Thereafter horses start at four-minute intervals.

Dressage leader Chris Burton will head out on course as one of the last riders, at 3.29pm. He rides the 11-year-old Nobilis 18. Although he has won Adelaide CCI4* twice and is an Olympic team bronze medallist, the Australian has never won a British four-star so is bidding to change that this weekend.

Oliver Towenend is the final rider on course at 3.45pm with MHS King Joules. He is the best of the Brits after dressage in fifth place. Third-placed Andrew Nicholson (Nereo) also heads out of the start box towards the end of the day, at 2.51pm.

Overnight runner-up Bettina Hoy’s start time is 1.09pm with Designer 10. She was European champion at Burghley in 1997, but didn’t actually win the event as New Zealander Mark Todd took the top honours.

Follow all the cross-country action with H&H Live from just before 11.15am

H&H’s blogger Ben Way is the sixth rider out on course, riding ex-racehorse Galley Light. He starts at 11.36am.

Continued below…

One horse eliminated in the dressage at Burghley in controversial decision

Chris Burton leads at Burghley after dressage; Oliver Townend best Brit in fifth

H&H Live: Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2016

The optimum time on Mark Phillips’ cross-country course is 11min 15sec and Andrew Nicholson said today he doesn’t expect any rider to come home within this target.

Seventy horses will start the cross-country, assuming none are withdrawn after the dressage phase.

Burghley results and times

Chris Burton leads at Burghley after dressage; Oliver Townend best Brit in fifth

Pippa Roome — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 16:39:24 +0000

Chris Burton is leading after the dressage at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.

The Australian rider was the only person who could get ahead of last night’s leader, Germany’s Bettina Hoy, today. He scored 30.2 this afternoon with his own, Sue Lawson and Carolyn Townsend’s 11-year-old Nobilis 18.

“I was happy he let me ride him in the test, he felt relaxed,” said Chris, who collected an Olympic team bronze last month riding Santano II. “Nobilis has done some lovely tests before, but you never know [what mark you’ll get]. It’s exciting to be in front of these guys [Bettina and third-placed Andrew Nicholson].”

Chris Burton and Nobilis 18 at Burghley. Picture by Peter Nixon (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Bettina, who is 4.3 penalties behind Chris, said she expected the Australian to go ahead of her.

“It was a beautiful test, technically so well ridden, and the mark was well deserved,” she said.

Andrew Nicholson holds third for New Zealand on 35.2 with Deborah Sellar’s experienced Nereo.

“Nereo is not the most naturally gifted in the dressage — he’s a big, powerful galloper, rather than a horse for confining in a little box — but he’s 16 years old and has had a lot of training and been to a lot of events,” he said.

“He’s a pleasure to ride and I know he’ll focus, not be distracted by the crowd or the flowers, so he makes my job easy.”

Bettina is the only rider from Thursday still in the top 10 after today’s action. New Zealand’s Caroline Powell is fourth on Onwards And Upwards, while Andrew Hoy (The Blue Frontier, sixth), Tim Price (Ringwood Sky Boy, seventh), Sam Griffiths (Happy Times, eighth), Blyth Tait (Bear Necessity V, ninth) and Mark Todd (NZB Campino, 10th) help the Antipodeans’ strong hand.

Oliver Townend is the best Brit in fifth with MHS King Joules, who was third at Bramham CCI3* earlier this year.

Oliver Townend and MHS King Joules at Burghley 2015. Picture by Peter Nixon (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Oliver rides three horses at Burghley and King Joules is the last runner in the field, which will make for an exciting end to the day on tomorrow’s cross-country.

Continued below…

H&H Live: Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2016

Bettina Hoy takes commanding lead at Burghley Horse Trials

The next best home side rider is Sarah Cohen, who holds 11th with Treason.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s cross-country, Chris said he thinks Mark Phillips’ track will be a challenge.

“Burghley is always big, tough and relentless,” he said. “I think he’s an excellent course-designer. I’m looking forward to having a go, but I wouldn’t say I’m excited about it!”

Re-live today’s dressage and follow tomorrow’s cross-country from 11.15am with H&H Live

William Fox-Pitt in individual gold after first day of Rio Olympics eventing dressage

Pippa Roome — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 19:29:31 +0000

William Fox-Pitt holds the individual gold position after the first day of eventing dressage at the Rio Olympics.

The British team member rode Chris and Lisa Stone’s stallion Chilli Morning to a score of 37.

“Of course it’s what you dream of and what I was hoping for,” said William. “He’s been working brilliantly with Tracie Robinson [British eventing team dressage trainer] in the build up to coming here and we know he’s capable of a good test. I didn’t want to let him down. He felt calm and on the job.”

William Fox-Pitt and Chilli in the dressage at the Rio Olympics. Picture by Peter Nixon (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

William’s participation here is little short of a miracle as he suffered a serious head injury in October last year and was in an induced coma for over a week. He returned to the saddle just before Christmas, but suffered problems with memory, double vision and lost a huge amount of fitness.

“The Games has come round with perfect timing,” he said. “In November August felt a long way away and I was saying, ‘I’m going to be in Rio.’ Then you suddenly realise it’s here and I’m just ready in time. I’ve had a lot of help from UK Sport and lottery funding getting me back on track and I’m very lucky and happy to be here.”

Australia’s Chris Burton is just 0.6 of a penalty behind William with Santano II.

“I’m stoked with him — he makes my job really easy, that lovely horse,” said Chris. “Of course there are things that could be better, but that’s always the case with dressage.”

Chris Burton and Santano II at the Rio Olympics. Picture by Peter Nixon (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Britain’s first rider into the arena, Gemma Tattersall on Quicklook V, is now 15th. With two riders from each team having completed their tests, Britain lies in team bronze, with Australia in silver and the Germans in gold.

Germany’s Michael Jung, the defending individual Olympic champion with Sam FBW, currently holds third on 40.9.

“I’m very happy,” he said. “He was very good to ride and I had a good feeling. We made a mistake in the canter, but his concentration was directly back on me.”

Continued below…

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Perhaps the biggest surprise of today was Clark Montgomery’s test on Loughan Glen for the US team. As Clark himself rued, the horse hasn’t scored out of the 30s for a long time, but he inexplicably shut down in the arena this afternoon. The pair finished the day 10th on 46.6.

“I’ve no idea what happened,” he said. “He warmed up beautifully. He felt good until he tried to walk and once he was in that frame of mind he wouldn’t get out of it.”

The dressage continues tomorrow, with Britain’s Pippa Funnell on Billy The Biz at 11.20am local time (3.20pm British time) and Kitty King on Ceylor LAN at 2.58pm local time (6.58pm British time). Follow the action here.

Full 25-page report on the eventing from Rio 2016 in H&H next week — out Friday, 12 August. H&H is published on Friday instead of Thursday next week only to allow us to report the full competition from the Olympics.

Tributes paid to ‘very special’ four-star event horse

Rachael Turner — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 16:55:49 +0000

Chris Burton’s former four-star event horse Newsprint has died aged 20 due to liver disease.

Newsprint (known at home as Barry) enjoyed great success with Chris, including winning the Australian International 3 Day Event in 2008, which was Christopher’s first four-star win. The pair were placed second in the same event two years later.

The 16.2hh gelding, by Rubiton and out of Dream of Kingston, competed at the lower levels during his later years. He was put down on 5 January.

“Yesterday we said goodbye to our dear old friend Newsprint,” Chris said on 6 January.

Australian rider Chris also secured numerous three-star wins with Barry and brought the dark bay with him when he relocated to the UK.

“He was really special to me,” an emotional Chris told H&H. “He was the most amazing cross-country horse I’ve ever sat on and probably ever will sit on.

“He had good movement and could do a very good test and was very careful in the showjumping — he wanted to win.

“When you started riding him you knew straight away he was a very special horse. He was a really beautiful animal and really easy to have around.”

Chris gave Barry to his friend Gary Storer to enjoy a quieter retirement.

“Garry is a great guy and had a nice time riding him at a lower level,” added Chris. “His illness was very sudden. I have so many great memories and I am very sad to lose him.”

Michael Jung wins Burghley Horse Trials; Tina Cook best Brit in eighth VIDEO

Pippa Roome — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 16:13:35 +0000

Germany’s Michael Jung won his first British four-star title this afternoon at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.

Riding his established star, the 15-year-old La Biosthetique-Sam FBW, Michael could not afford a fence down in the showjumping.

But the 15-year-old, who belongs to the Jung Family, Michael’s father Joachim, Erich Single and the German Olympic equestrian federation (DOKR), did not need a fence in hand. He touched fence 12, the viaduct wall, but otherwise jumped superbly.

“Sam is like a good friend and we make a good partnership,” said Michael. I know him so well and have learnt a lot from him and with him. Maybe he’s also learnt a bit from me. He gives me 100%. Today he felt very powerful and concentrated in the warm-up and that helps a lot.”

New Zealand’s Tim Price rode the ride of his life on Ringwood Sky Boy to hold second place with a clear. The 12-year-old, owned by Varenna Allen, Robert Taylor, Selwood.com and the rider, has never had less than two down at a three-day, but he pulled it out of the bag today, aided by Tim’s tactful riding and soft hands.

“He’s been improving and that showed on the flat, plus he’s a great cross-country horse,” said Tim. “We achieved what we wanted to achieve in the dressage and so I expected to be in the mix yesterday afternoon. But to still be here today is exceptional.

“This is testament to the hard work and faith of the team and I’m thrilled for the people who have believed in him. He’s not a natural in the showjumping, but he is a good jumper and he’s learning to try hard in the right times and in the right ways.”

Tim Price and Ringwood Sky Boy at Burghley 2015. Picture by Peter Nixon (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Australia’s Christopher Burton took third and fourth with two clear rounds on the syndicate-owned TS Jamaimo and Alan Skinner’s Haruzac. He had never completed Burghley before.

“I first came here as a young rider in 2004 — I flew a horse from Australia and fell off at the third fence,” he said. “It was exciting just to see the finish flags, but to have the horses go that well is really exciting.”

Tim’s wife Jonelle had the first part of the treble at 6a down on Classic Moet to drop from third to fifth.

Another Kiwi, Mark Todd, went clear to move up from seventh to sixth on Leonidas II. France’s Cedric Lyard (Cadeau Du Roi) also rose one rank with a fault-free round and finished seventh.

Tina Cook jumped a brilliant clear with Star Witness to be best of the British in eighth. William Fox-Pitt wound up 10th after having just fence eight, the oxer over a water tray, down with Fernhill Pimms.

Tina Cook and Star Witness at Burghley 2015. Picture by Peter Nixon (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Sam Griffiths was sandwiched between Tina and William with a clear on Paulank Brockagh. The 2014 Badminton winner moved up six places today for ninth.

The most dramatic departure from the top 10 came from Australia’s Bill Levett, who had five down to fall from sixth to 15th on Improvise. They hit two parts of the treble (6a and 6b), the upright at 9, the spread at 10 and the final Land Rover oxer.

Re-live Burghley with H&H Live

Full report from Burghley in next week’s H&H, out Thursday, 10 September — 17 pages of photos and analysis, including columns from Ruth Edge, Lucy Wiegersma and Mark Phillips.

Michael Jung leads Burghley Horse Trials after eventful cross-country day VIDEO

Pippa Roome — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 16:24:23 +0000

Germany’s Michael Jung leads the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials after cross-country day.

Although he fell in the water with his first horse, FischerRocana FST, Michael rode with his customary brilliance on La Biosthetique-Sam FBW to bring him home just 2sec over the 11min 12sec optimum time. He is 1.5 penalties ahead of his nearest rival.

The 15-year-old Sam belongs to the Jung Family, Michael’s father Joachim, Erich Single and the German Olympic equestrian federation (DOKR). He has won the individual golds at the Olympics (2012), World Championships (2010) and European Championships (2011).

“After I fell with Rocana I went back to the stables and my brother said I had to start really fighting with Sam — that he had been in seventh and was now in sixth,” joked Michael.

“I know Sam very well. In the beginning we were a bit slow up the long hill for fence 13 [the Cottesmore Leap], but after that I wanted to catch the time and he was really fighting for me.”

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW at Burghley 2015. Picture by Peter Nixon (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

New Zealander Tim Price holds second on Ringwood Sky Boy, a 12-year-old belonging to Varenna Allen, Robert Taylor, Selwood.com and the rider. He had 2.8 time-faults today to move up from fifth after dressage.

Tim had an unusual incident when a wasp got inside his cross-country shirt during his round.

“After Discovery Valley I had a scratchy sensation, like a thistle, so I tried to adjust my shirt but it wouldn’t go away,” he said. “When I finished I felt it again, so I lifted up my shirt and a little wasp flew away. I think he was a bit annoyed by the whole experience!”

Tim Price and Ringwood Sky Boy at Burghley 2015. Picture by Peter Nixon (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Speaking about Ringwood Sky Boy, Tim said: “He’s not the most conventional, but he has a lot of scope and honesty and tries hard and that stands him in good stead. The combinations can be difficult because he has a long stride and really wants to get there. It was a course where you had to use feel and make choices along the way.”

Ringwood Sky Boy does not have a great record in the showjumping, so he may well drop out of the top echelons tomorrow.

Only two riders made the time today — Tim’s wife Jonelle Price was one and is now third on Trisha Richards’ Classic Moet, also the fastest horse at the World Equestrian Games last year.

“She’s a fast one and I just have to keep up with her,” said Jonelle. “She gave me a fantastic ride and was pretty faultless from start to finish.”

Jonelle Price and Classic Moet at Burghley 2015. Picture by Peter Nixon (Image credit: creditUnknown)

The other speedy rider was Australia’s Christopher Burton, who sits fourth with British Open champion TS Jamaimo. Christopher is also fifth on Haruzac.

Oliver Townend is the best Brit in ninth on the pathfinder, Dromgurrihy Blue. Tina Cook is 10th with Star Witness. Both horses are four-star debutants.

Course-designer Mark Phillips said he was “very happy and relieved” by the result. The course had been turned round to run in the opposite direction this year and Mark said this is an expensive exercise, so it will keep flowing this way for a few years now.

Overnight leaders make dramatic exits

The two overnight leaders, Michael Jung on his first ride FischerRocana FST and William Fox-Pitt on the inexperienced Fernhill Pimms, both left the sharp end in dramatic fashion.

FischerRocana jumped fence 4a, the wall before the slope down into the water at the Lion Bridge, but lost her footing as she entered the water and went down, soaking herself and Michael.

William Fox-Pitt was having a great round with the young Pimms, but the pair were held before Thomson’s Wall (fence 23) because the back of the fence was broken.

When they restarted, William decided to take the long route at Discovery Valley, fence 24ab. He jumped the chest at 24a, then set off along the track to the Elephant Trap at fence 25. But he suddenly realised his error, turned round and galloped back to Discovery Valley to jump fence 24b.

William could have been 14sec over the time and held his lead, but 51sec was expensive and his 20.4 time-faults dropped him to 13th overnight.

Late problems

At the end of the day, both Sam Griffiths (third after dressage) and Oliver Townend (fifth) could have taken the lead, but they made late errors on course.

Sam ran out at the second hedge at Discovery Valley (fence 24b) with Happy Times, while Oliver had 20 penalties at the sculpted hedge oxer in the Land Rover Trout Hatchery with Armada.

Earlier in the day, Andrew Hoy and Rutherglen, fourth after dressage, had a fall at Capability’s Cutting (fences 9 and 10).

H&H bloggers update

Two of H&H’s bloggers had great jumping clears. Nana Dalton and Elite Syncopation finished with 44.8 time-faults for 43rd place. And Simon Grieve incurred 46.8 time-penalties on Cornacrew for 47th.

Our third blogger, Coral Keen with Wellshead Fare Opposition, fell at the Cottesmore Leap. She was taken to hospital for precautionary X-rays.

Re-live today’s action with H&H Live

Full report from Burghley in next week’s H&H, out Thursday, 10 September — 17 pages of photos and analysis, including columns from Ruth Edge, Lucy Wiegersma and Mark Phillips.

Christopher Burton crowned British Open eventing champion

Catherine Austen — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 17:36:41 +0000

Christopher Burton won the British Eventing Open Championship at the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe on TS Jamaimo, becoming the first Australian to do so since Clayton Fredericks in 2006.

“It’s very exciting to win here – he’s fast and we hoped to be competitive,” said Christopher.

TS Jamaimo, a 16-year-old thoroughbred on whom Christopher won the Adelaide CCI4* in 2013, was ninth after dressage with 36.9, and stayed in that position after one show jump down. But the second-fastest cross-country time of the day for just 2.8 time-faults propelled them up the leaderboard.

Christopher’s fellow Australian Sam Griffiths led going into cross-country on his 2014 Badminton winner Paulank Brockagh, but the pair fell late on in the course.

New Zealand’s Jonelle Price finished second on Trish Rickards’ Classic Moet, 4.5pen behind Christopher and TS Jamaimo, while Nicola Wilson is the new British national champion after taking third place with Ann and Valerie Robson’s Beltane Queen.

“I’m pinching myself,” said Nicola. “I’m so proud of her – she gets better and better.”

Oliver Townend, third after dressage with Armada with a mark of 33.5, hit four showjumps. But he was the only rider to go inside the time across country, which meant that, despite dropping to 23^rd after showjumping, the pair ended up in fourth place.

Louise Harwood and Whitson, third in this class last year, were fifth this time, up from 16^th after dressage. Georgie Strang and Cooley Business Time took sixth place.

Dressage leaders Andrew Hoy and Rutherglen had three showjumps down, and later fell on the cross-country.

Andrew Nicholson and Cilnabradden Evo, fourth after showjumping, fell at the final cross-country fence and Andrew then withdrew Perfect Stranger, who had been in third position. Andrew was taken to hospital for precautionary check-ups.

William Fox-Pitt had run-outs across country on both fifth-placed Luxury FH and Fernhill Pimms, sixth after showjumping.

Oliver Townend and Mr Hiho had shared the lead after showjumping with Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh, but withdrew before cross-country.

♦ Noah Brook led from start to finish in the TopSpec Challenge for the Corinthian Cup, a new restricted novice championship for amateur riders. Riding Paul Crompton’s Deo Volente III, the 19-year-old won by a margin of 10 marks and finished on his dressage score of 22.5.

Second was Sara Chittleburgh (Sari De Lobelle) and third was Cathrine Taylor (Lorelei).

View full results

Don’t miss the full report on all the action from the Festival of British Eventing in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 13 August

All horses pass Luhmühlen CCI4* trot-up; four Brits progress to showjumping

Pippa Roome — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 08:04:13 +0000

All 25 horses who finished the cross-country in the Luhmühlen CCI4*, presented by DHL, were presented to the ground jury at this morning’s trot-up and passed.

It is rare for all those who complete the cross-country at a three-day event to progress to the final showjumping phase — some horses are nearly always withdrawn before or at the horse inspection or spun by the ground jury. But perfect conditions at Luhmühlen helped ensure all were fit to continue.

“It was really hard here on Monday, but we worked hard with watering and the Verti-Drainer and horses have seldom run on better footing,” commented course-designer Mark Phillips.

The ground jury of Christoph Hess, Anne-Mette Binder and Andrew Bennie did not send any horses to the holding box or even ask any to trot again.

British competitor Emily Lochore’s mount Hexmaleys Hayday was clearly terrified of the crowd who had gathered to watch and was keen to get his trot-up over as quickly as possible. The commentator asked the crowd not to applaud so as not to upset him more.

Newmarket Vasco One also gave his rider, Britain’s Willa Newton, a moment of concern as he took fright at something while she was turning him round at the far end of the strip and jumped.

Willa was one of two Brits inside the time yesterday — she sits 15th, while Coral Keen is best of Team GB in 11th on Wellshead Fare Opposition.

Nicky Roncoroni, who finished one second over the 11min 10sec optimum time, holds 17th on Stonedge. Emily Lochore is 25th after one run-out and 22.4 time-faults and will be first to showjump today at 11.15am.

At the top end Germany’s Ingrid Klimke leads on FRH Escada JS, but the next four competitors are all within one fence of her. New Zealand’s Jonelle Price (Faerie Dianimo, pictured) lies second, the home side’s Michael Jung (La Biosthetique-Sam FBW) third and Australia’s Christopher Burton (Graf Liberty) holds fourth.

Final update from Luhmühlen online later, full report in the magazine this week, out Thursday, 25 June.

Three ways to avoid cross-country time-faults

Aimi Clark — Wed, 13 May 2015 16:30:35 +0000

Frustrated by cross-country time faults but unsure what to do in order to make the optimum time?

Whether you ride a thoroughbred or a part-bred, there are ways to make your round more efficient without increasing your horse’s galloping speed. Training your eye to see a stride is just one of them, as Australian Olympian and Adelaide CCI4* winner Chris Burton explains.

1 Use the gears

“Cross-country is like Formula One. A fast round looks slow because it is smooth. The driver never hits the brakes hard or accelerates abruptly,” says Chris.

2 More speed isn’t necessarily the answer

“Think forward rather than fast. A quicker gallop won’t make you faster overall, because if you bowl on too strongly and can’t regain control after a big jump, you’ll waste time preparing for the next one.”

Exercise:

Test your horse’s manoeuvrability by riding a large oval shape in gallop, then returning to walk as quickly and smoothly as you can. Your horse needs to open his stride and speed up, then condense it to slow down, without making a fuss.

3 Recognise a stride

Seeing the distance early prevents chipping in a stride or altering the horse’s rhythm.

“If you add a stride or two that’s a second lost at every fence, which is nearly a minute wasted,” explains Chris.

Exercise:

Train your eye to see a stride.

• Set up an upright and, as you approach, count the strides out loud, beginning with the last.

• So the first time, say “one” on the final stride, the next time say “two, one” for the last two strides. Then count back further from three, four, five and six strides. If you get it wrong, repeat that distance again..

• This can also be practised using a pole on the ground.

• “The rider’s job is to put the fence [or pole] in the middle of the horse’s stride, which will become easier as you get to know their movement and will make you quicker overall,” says Chris.

For more training advice from Chris, plus many other leading names – including Tina Cook, Andrew Gould and Katie Jerram – don’t miss the current issue of H&H Ask The Trainer, on sale now.

Riders’ first reactions to Badminton Horse Trials cross-country course [VIDEO]

Pippa Roome — Thu, 07 May 2015 17:55:09 +0000

This year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials cross-country course should be easier than last year, but it is still a strong track, riders agreed today.

Last year, the first course produced here by Italian designer Giuseppe della Chiesa was highly influential, partly because it was coupled with very tiring ground conditions. Only 29% of starters jumped clear and 45% completed.

Most riders and commentators were pleased to see the cross-country having a real influence at this prestigious competition, but agreed more completions would be ideal.

“This year’s course is a lot less intense around the Vicarage Vee area, which was necessary — that was full-on for the horses last year,” said Nicola Wilson.

But Beanie Sturgis warned that riders should not underestimate the challenge.

Badminton final scores

“There are a lot of subtle, cumulative questions and you’ve got to be switched on riding-wise,” she said. “It would be brave to say it’s softer than last year — it’s Badminton, it’s a four-star — and you don’t respect it at your peril.”

At present, it looks like the ground will be considerably better than last year this Saturday, which will make the challenge less tiring for the horses. Overnight leader Andrew Nicholson said the course is also less strenuous for the horses when ridden in this direction.

“The direction we went in last year [clockwise] is a lot harder when the weather turns — the pulls up to Huntmans Close and The Quarry are tiring,” said Andrew. “This way round you can have a tired horse at eight minutes and not get into too much difficulty.”

Andrew added: “I don’t think there will be any surprises for the horses and I like that there are a few places you’ve got to sit on your backside and work. For example, the white gates [World Horse Welfare Garden Gates, fence 23ab] are on a tight turn back after some galloping fences and the same for the silver birch rails [Sense Silver Birch, fence 25ab and 26] a few fences after that.

“As riders we like everything to be coming up smoothly, but designers have realised they’ve got to have a few little switchbacks to slow us down and make us work.”

See pictures of all the fences

Read Thursday’s dressage report

Dramatic countdown to final four-star horse trials of the year

Horse & Hound — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 17:00:29 +0000

The countdown to Adelaide this weekend (14-17 November) — the final 4-star horse trials of the year — has been dramatic, with broken limbs and a heart attack affecting some of the major players.

Course-designer Wayne Copping was taken to hospital a week ago after suffering a heart attack. He has since undergone heart bypass surgery and is intent on making it to the event.

British Eventing’s chief executive Mike Etherington-Smith stepped into the breach to do some last-minute fine-tuning with the course-builders. Mike was himself Adelaide’s course-designer for several years and is the current designer at Sydney CCI3*.

Meanwhile, dual Adelaide winner Wendy Schaeffer will be unable to bid for a popular third victory after breaking her leg in 2 places in a training fall. Although she won Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996 just 9 weeks after breaking a leg, she will not line up this time.

And fellow Australian Megan Jones — who was on the team for London 2012 until lameness sidelined her ride Kirby Park Allofasudden — has withdrawn her horse again as he is not 100%.

Another Aussie who had been due to compete — Will Enzinger — also had his challenge thwarted when he broke his leg last week.

However, the home crowd will be able to cheer another of their riders on as the UK-based Christopher Burton — who didn’t have any horses entered — has picked up Will’s ride on TS Jamaimo, a 4-star debutant. Chris won Adelaide 5 years ago on Newsprint.

26 horses are listed — nearly double last year’s field. Riders include Sydney 2000 Olympic team gold medallist Stuart Tinney and Beijing silver medallists Sonja Johnson and Shane Rose — who will be bidding to catch the selectors’ eyes ahead of the World Equestrian Games next year.

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Shadow Man will join Chris, who was on the team that won eventing bronze at the Rio Olympics, for six months – with Paris selection the aim.

Ben, who has recently set up a new base in Lincolnshire, told H&H when he was approached about Shadow Man “it wasn’t really on the radar initially”.

“We had a further think about it and we came to the solution that Chris could borrow Shadow Man for six months and aim for the Olympics.”

Ben said it was a “tough decision”.

Chris and Shadow Man made their debut together at Montelibretti, Italy, on 3 March, where they had a double jumping clear in the CCI3*-S, with some cross-country time-penalties.

“It’s an exciting year for the horse, and a new part of his journey, and I hope it brings Chris all the success in the world. He can come back home then and we can continue on our journey and partnership, and next year for me could be some big things for Team GB if things go to plan.”

Ben, who this year will be concentrating on some “exciting” younger horses in eventing and showjumping, said it is Shadow Man’s “self-belief” that makes him so special.

“When the pressure is on and things get big, some horses shrink but he grows. When people are clapping he knows it’s for him and not for anyone else,” he said.

“He’s got that inner confidence, coupled with his talent, that makes him trainable, rideable, and makes the work fun and very easy. I said it from day one, I knew he’d be a superstar.”

Chris said he is “really excited” to have this opportunity.

“I have always admired Shadow Man and I am loving getting to know him; I have loved every ride I have had on him so far, he is an extraordinary horse.

“We have an intense few months ahead of us but it will be made that bit easier by having such a lovely horse that has been so well produced by Ben up to this level. We are all really excited about the road ahead, as steep as it may be.”

Chris will aim for Olympic selection in both disciplines, with Chedington Hazy Toulana already qualified for the Paris showjumping. He also hopes to have a second horse qualified for the showjumping, 10-year-old gelding Jacksonville Eurohill.

“Competing in two disciplines simultaneously presents a unique challenge, but I am fully committed to the cause,” said Chris.

“I am so fortunate to have the support of the Guy family at Chedington Equestrian who have shown unwavering support and enthusiasm for our ambitious pursuit.”

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Defeat was sweet for the Australians in Barcelona, nevertheless.

“It was always going to be a tough fight,” said Hilary Scott, whose 16-year-old mare Oaks Milky Way and Jamie Kermond’s 17-year-old gelding Yandoo Oaks Constellation are half-siblings and were both bred by Hilary’s mother Alice Cameron out of the same Jalisco B mare Galaxie Pierville.

“It’s amazing, there was some pressure on us tonight and I’m so proud of all of us.”

The riders had “really pushed” their Federation to be allowed to compete in Barcelona ahead of an Olympic bid next year.

“We wanted to gain more experience,” explained Jamie. “We were hoping we were going to have four riders with Izzy Stone, but things didn’t quite go the way she wanted at the last show so she decided not to come.”

Jamie put down the team’s opening 13th place finish with 25 faults in Thursday’s first round as due to “a lack of recent experience”.

“We regrouped and we thought our horses were jumping well and we had a shot tonight,” he said. “We needed everything to go right with the three of us and it nearly did so we’ll take it! We made the Dutch work for it!”

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“She’s very brave, very clever and we think a lot of her – she’s going to be a grand prix horse, no question, she’s amazing,” said Chris. “When you go early and you’re in the lead, you have an anxious wait watching everyone go, but it was fun sitting watching with the owners.”

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In the second round all four teams added to their fault tally, but the Australians maintained their lead, followed by the Japanese, who took the second qualifying place for the Paris 2024 showjumping.

Chris said he was proud of “superstar” mare Chedington Hazy Toulana, who “had a big job”.

“She showed us what she is made of, helping the Australian showjumping team secure Paris Olympic qualification,” he said.

“A huge thanks to Chedington Equestrian for the chance to ride such a champion. Well done to the team who took the convincing win.”

Australia’s chef d’equipe Todd Hinde, who is stepping down as high performance jumping manager for Equestrian Australia following his appointment as the new FEI jumping director, was thrilled with the team.

“We presented seven horses at the trot-up and we could have had any four of them compete. I was confident the four we chose would go out there and produce the result,” he said.

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