Burghley Horse Trials: one horse spun and scare for favourite at first trot-up [VIDEO]

One horse was spun and two title contenders were forced to re-present at the first horse inspection at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials today (Wednesday 3 September).

Andrew Nicholson and Avebury (pictured top) — who are going for a consecutive hat-trick of Burghley victories — were sent to the holding box after trotting up twice. They were accepted when they re-presented, which was met by a huge cheer from the crowd.

This year’s Badminton winner Sam Griffiths was also held with his long-time four-star campaigner Happy Times.

Unfortunately Australia’s Shane Rose and CP Qualified’s Burghley was over before it began as the horse was still not accepted after being held.

Roo Fox’s Fleet Street and Matthew Heath’s The Lion were also both sent to the holding box, but passed when they were re-presented.

The flower boxes, which had been used to decorate the runway, were enough to spook many of the horses. William Fox-Pitt’s Bay My Hero and Francis Whittington’s Hasty Imp were among those who took particular exception, to the entertainment of the crowd.

Fashion stakes

While this trot-up may have lacked some of the fashion flare that was seen at Badminton in the spring — we were missing Harry Meade’s purple chinos and Ludwig Svennerstål’s bow tie for a start — the warmer weather led to many ladies wearing dresses.

There was also a large number of female eventers doing an excellent job of keeping up with their steeds while wearing impressive heels.

Scottish rider Louise Milne Home went for a patriotic tartan look. Perhaps, with the upcoming vote for Scottish independence, this is the first time that politics has been brought to the trot-up?

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