Ros Canter is out of contention at the 2023 Defender Burghley Horse Trials. She suffered a fall from Pencos Crown Jewel, who is owned by Kate James and Annie Makin and who had been fifth after the dressage, on the Burghley Horse Trials cross-country course at fence 20abc, the Dairy Mound.
The mare had looked quite keen on her way around the track, although they had jumped clear up until she left a leg at part b, a triple bar arrowhead, which tipped Ros out of the saddle. Both horse and rider walked away.
So far the Burghley Horse Trials cross-country course has caused its fair share of problems, with Burghley first-timer Greta Mason and Cooley For Sure having a run out at the final part of the Leaf Pit (fence 7), although they went on to complete.
“There were definitely some moments and I had hoped to be a bit smoother,” explained Greta. “But my horse is so genuine and he really did get me out of trouble a couple of times.”
Sweden’s Christoffer Forsberg came unstuck at Defender Valley at fence five when his mount Con Classic 2 left a leg at the first element. Christoffer tried his best to stay on, but gravity eventually took over.
Nicky Hill enjoyed a good clear jumping round with MGH Bingo Boy. They came home with 21.6 time-faults, despite taking a lengthy long route at Defender Valley. Given the influence so far of this year’s course, this will help move them up the leaderboard having been 41st after the first phase.
End of day update: Nicky Hill and MGH Bingo Boy currently sit in 22nd place heading into the show jumping phase.
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Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
