Riders have provided updates on some of the horses who won’t be coming forward for today’s showjumping phase at the 2023 Defender Burghley Horse Trials.
Harry Meade finished the cross-country course on David Bernstein, Nigella Hall, Sophie Caruth’s Tenareze in ninth place, but the horse appeared sore when he pulled up at the finish.
Harry provided an update on Instagram, praising the Burghley veterinary team and saying that Tenareze was “happy, settled and comfortable” just hours after his round.
“I was so proud of Tenareze’s performance today; he’s happy, settled & comfortable in his stable this evening having pulled up lame. The veterinary team at the finish were absolutely brilliant and were with him within seconds. Thankfully he will be fine although sadly for him won’t get his chance to shine in the show jumping tomorrow.”
Tom McEwen also shared an update on Instagram on his two rides, including double Olympic medallist Toledo De Kerser, who he pulled up on course. Earlier in the day Tom finished clear with 18.8 time-faults on Luna Mist, who lay 19th overnight but was withdrawn before today’s trot-up.
“Most importantly, Toledo and Luna are safely back home and being spoilt rotten by our incredible team.“Toledo is family, my best friend whom I owe everything to and to all of us he is so, so special. But sadly he picked up an injury after the trout hatchery after flying around the course and feeling great. Thank you so much to the Burghley team for their quick reaction and help with Toledo. With some rest and some time in the field, hopefully we will all be able to enjoy Toledo doing what he loves again.“Luna is the most amazing little mare and she was incredible yesterday. Sadly she picked up a small injury and with how the day unfolded, we decided to make her comfortable and take her home. Luna is super special and her day will come.“The horses are everything to us and they will always come first and with the emotions attached to them you realise they are our family.“Thank you so much to my team who have showed how incredible they are and to my amazing owners who have been so supportive.“Also thank you everyone for your lovely messages.”
Greta Mason and Sarah Winfrey’s Cooley For Sure were sitting in 35th place after cross-country, but they won’t be presenting for the final phase after the horse knocked his stifle across country. She shared the news on her Instagram.
“Cooley For Sure was class yesterday around the cross-country at Burghley. I felt I didn’t give him the best of rides at the start but it got better as we went on and what a legend of a horse to keep jumping for me. He finished full of running and I’m so proud of him for jumping us all the way around our first Burghley! Unfortunately he picked up a slight bang to the stifle which seems only to be bruising and should be better in a few days, but sadly he won’t be trotting up or showjumping this morning, but the main thing is he is well and can now enjoy his winter holidays!”
There are currently no official updates on the other withdrawals that were made prior to trot-up – Burghley first-timer Grace Taylor and Game Changer (16th after cross-country) and David Doel’s Ferro Point (25th after cross-country).
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
