The Defender Burghley Horse Trials cross-country is proving every bit as tough as expected, with several high-profile retirements among the early runners. But Tom Jackson posted an eye-catching clear with Capels Hollow Drift to top the leaderboard at this stage, adding just 5.6 time-faults in a copybook round. Tom was lying 13th after dressage on 28.6, and is bound to move up considerably with this fast time.
Tom’s grey is tackling his fifth CCI5*, and lived up to his reputation as “Mr Consistent”.
“He delivers every single time – whatever you ask,” said Tom. “It’s one of the best rides I’ve had on him – he was really travelling for me. These courses always feel tough when you’re doing them, but the terrain here adds a whole new level. I’m so happy with the way he picked up and finished so strongly.
“It can feel like you’re just going through the motions with him, because he is such a special horse. He has not enjoyed heavy ground, but he likes it a bit quicker.”
The 13-year-old finished noticeably full of running here at Burghley, having tired a little over the last few fences at Badminton in the spring. He was immaculate over all the tricky combinations, with Tom just kicking out a couple of flags at the Trout Hatchery corner and the second Fairfax & Favor triple bar with his own leg.
First-timer success over Burghley Horse Trials cross-country
Several first-timers put in decent rounds, including birthday girl Bella Innes Ker, who turns 30 today. She steered another bold-jumping grey, Highway II, to a clear round. They did clock 25.6 time-faults, adding a couple of long routes to their journey round the Lincolnshire turf, but produced a very pleasing picture.
“I’ve always said he is my horse of a lifetime, the best cross-country horse I’ve ever had,” said Bella. “To finally feel like I might have done him justice today is a good feeling and incredible the way he galloped home.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“He’s always had a huge gallop, and it’s actually been a downfall to try to contain it. Everyone says to give them a breather on Winners’ Avenue, but I thought, ‘no, I’ve still got a lot of horse’.”
From a newcomer to one of the most experienced riders in the field, Dan Jocelyn completed on Blackthorn Cruise despite two run-outs – at the brush at Joules at the Maltings and the Dairy Mound house.
Meanwhile it was a hard luck story for France’s first competitor, Luc Chateau riding Viens du Mont. They set out well, but the 15-year-old gelding over jumped the rail into the Defender Valley at fence 5abc, and the horse veered sharply away from the ditch. This caused Luc’s stirrup to detach from the saddle, and with it being impossible to reattach, Luc retired.
To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, the Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.
