Tag Archives: Burghley Horse Trials

Bettina Hoy Has Designs on Burghley

Bettina Hoy (GER) and Designer 10 (Trevor Meeks/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), September 1, 2016 – Bettina Hoy (GER) lit up the arena on day one of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2015/2016, with a beautifully executed Dressage test on Designer 10 that was in a class of its own and may prove hard to beat.

The only fault in a show-stopping exhibition of lightness, smoothness and balance seemed to be a bit of tension in a flying change, and, with a score of 34.5, Hoy has a comfortable eight-penalty margin over Bill Levett (AUS) on Improvise after the first day of Dressage.

The experienced German rider’s illustrious career stretches back to the 1984 Olympics and she took the European title at Burghley in 1997 on Watermill Stream. Hoy, 53, is a popular and familiar face on the British circuit, but she has never won a CCI4* here, her best result being fifth at Badminton this year on Designer 10.

“I think Designer must have been having a little chat with [my other horse] Seigneur Medicott, who usually does the better test, as he felt great in there,” said an elated Hoy. “I’ve developed a special programme for him in the warm-up because he can get a bit tense. Every time I feel him tighten, I go into rising trot and that helps.”

Hoy reported that she had been working hard with her trainer, Sebastian Langehanenberg, as her 12-year-old Westphalian gelding by Dali X “is not built for dressage”. He had suggested changing from a snaffle bit to a double bridle because having two bits in his mouth seemed to settle the horse.

Hoy added: “I’m feeling very motivated after Rio [where she was training a Russian rider]. Burghley holds a special place in my heart and, although it won’t be a dressage competition, I know Designer can do it.”

Levett, also 53, has been based on Britain for many years and has been getting closer to CCI4* success all the time. He re-routed Improvise to Luhmühlen, where the horse finished 13th, after an early retirement at Badminton in May.

Paul Sims, 31, a relative newcomer to this level, finds himself the best British rider at this stage, having scored his best CCI4* dressage result on the white-faced Glengarnock to lie third on 46.6. This is their third Burghley, having finished 25th last year. Sims admitted to feeling quite confident: “He’s a reliable cross-country horse, as long as I don’t make any mistakes.”

Burghley first-timer Elisa Wallace’s (USA) campaign got off to a good start when she scored 46.8 on the American Thoroughbred Simply Priceless for fourth place at this stage. “He can be quite tense so it’s been a huge journey to get him to be expressive,” she said. “When I looked up at the scoreboard and saw the score, I couldn’t believe it.”

Hoy’s main challengers Friday look to be New Zealanders Sir Mark Todd (NZB Campino) and Andrew Nicholson (Nereo), who have 10 Burghley wins between them, plus the Dressage leader in Rio, Christopher Burton (AUS) on Nobilis 18 and his team mate Sam Griffiths on the veteran Happy Times.

Follow the action on www.burghley.tv and live results on www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics #Eventing

By Kate Green

Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials Media Contact:

Carole Pendle
Press Officer
Carole.pendle@caa.com
+44 7768 462601

FEI Media Contact:

Leanne Williams
Manager Press Relations
leanne.williams@fei.org
+41 79 314 24 38

Antipodean Stars Vie for Glory at Burghley

Andrew Nicholson (NZ) and Avebury (Trevor Holt/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), August 31, 2016 – The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) has long brought out the best in antipodean riders and predictions are that one of the strong representation from ‘Down Under’ will triumph in this final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2015/2016, set against a typically historic British backdrop of ancient parkland surrounding a beautiful 16th-century country house.

Four New Zealanders have won the prestigious Burghley trophy 13 times between them since Sir Mark Todd scored the first of his five triumphs in 1987, and they will be aiming to give Kiwi supporters a boost after the team came agonizingly close to a medal at the Rio Olympic Games earlier this month.

Todd, who rides NZB Campino, and Andrew Nicholson (Nereo and Qwanza), another five-time Burghley winner, probably understand the challenging nature of the parkland here better than anyone else and have produced many vintage cross-country rounds over the decades. Victory for either would be hugely popular, but there’s also former winners Blyth Tait (Bear Necessity V) and Caroline Powell (Onwards and Upwards) to consider, plus the 2015 runner-up Tim Price (Ringwood Sky Boy and Bango) and his wife Jonelle (Classic Moet).

Andrew Hoy (Rutherglen and The Blue Frontier), whose two victories were 25 years apart (in 1979 and 2004), is the only former Australian winner in the field (the other was Lucinda Fredericks), but Olympic team bronze medalist Christopher Burton (Nobilis 18) has been the in-form rider this year and starred at Burghley 2015 in third and fourth places.

Burton’s team mates Sam Griffiths (Happy Times) and Shane Rose (Shanghai Joe and Virgil) are also in the frame, as is the USA’s individual Olympic bronze medalist Phillip Dutton (Fernhill Fugitive).

None of them can catch Olympic champion Michael Jung (GER), the runaway leader of the FEI Classics™, but Price, Todd and Rose are all closely bunched in the race to secure the subsidiary cash prizes.

Eight nations are represented in the field, but it is the British who will perhaps be most anxious to seize the trophy back onto home ground for the first time since William Fox-Pitt won in 2011. Fox-Pitt is absent this year, but contenders include Olympic team member and 2003 winner Pippa Funnell (Second Supreme), 2009 winner Oliver Townend (MHS King Joules and Dromgurrihy Blue) and Kristina Cook (Star Witness).

Around 75 horses will come before the Ground Jury in the first horse inspection and Tom Crisp (GBR) on Coolys Luxury will be first into the Dressage arena Thursday morning at 9am (local time).

Follow the action on www.burghley.tv and live results on www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics #Eventing

By Kate Green

Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials Media Contact:

Carole Pendle
Press Officer
Carole.pendle@caa.com
+44 7768 462601

FEI Media Contact:

Leanne Williams
Manager Press Relations
leanne.williams@fei.org
+41 79 314 24 38

USEF Announces Fall 2016 Eventing Competition Grant Recipients

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the recipients of Land Rover/USEF and USET Foundation eventing competition grants for the Millstreet International Horse Trials CCI3*, Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI4*, Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials CCI3*, and Military Boekelo-Enschede CCIO3*.

The following combinations have received grants for the Millstreet International Horse Trials CCI3* taking place August 25-28 in Millstreet Town, Co. Cork, Ireland:

Sinead Halpin (Oldwick, N.J.) and Manoir de Carneville Syndicate, LLC’s Manoir de Carneville, a 2000 Selle Francais gelding; Halpin has received a Land Rover/USEF Eventing Competition Grant.

Lillian Heard (Poolesville, Md.) and her own LCC Barnaby, a 2006 Irish Sport Horse gelding; Heard has received a Jacqueline B. Mars Competition Grant through the USET Foundation.

The following athlete has received a Land Rover/USEF Eventing Competition Grant for the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI4* taking place September 1-4 in Stamford, England:

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and HND Group’s Mighty Nice, a 2004 Irish Sport Horse gelding, or Ann Jones and Thomas Tierney’s Fernhill Fugitive, a 2005 Irish Sport Horse gelding

The following combinations have received Land Rover/USEF Eventing Competition Grant for the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials CCI3* taking place September 8-11 in Woodstock, England:

Hannah Sue Burnett (The Plains, Va.) and Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot, a 2003 Irish Sport Horse gelding

Holly Payne Caravella (Gladstone, N.J.) and Bethann Groblewski’s Santino, a 2003 Thoroughbred gelding

Alexandra Knowles (Paris, Ky.) and Sound Prospect L.L.C.’s Sound Prospect, a 2002 Thoroughbred gelding

Kurt Martin (Middleburg, Va.) and his, Carol Jean Martin, and Bill Martin’s DeLux Z, a 2005 Irish Sport Horse gelding

The following combinations have received grants for the Military Boekelo-Enschede CCIO3* taking place October 6-9 in Boekelo, The Netherlands:

Lauren Kieffer (Middleburg, Va.) and Marie Le Menestrel’s Meadowbrook’s Scarlett, a 2007 Thoroughbred cross mare; Kieffer has received a Land Rover/USEF Eventing Competition Grant.

Kylie Lyman (White River Junction, Vt.) and Joan Nichols’ Lup The Loop, a 2008 Irish Sport Horse gelding; Lyman has received a Jacqueline B. Mars Competition Grant through the USET Foundation.

Lynn Symansky (Middleburg, Va.) and The Donner Syndicate, LLC’s Donner, a 2003 Thoroughbred gelding; Symansky has received a Land Rover/USEF Eventing Competition Grant.

From the USEF Communications Department

Michael Jung Wins Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

Photo credit – ROLEX/Kit Houghton.

Burghley, UK, 6 September 2015 – In an exciting finale, Germany’s Michael Jung and his supreme partner, La Biosthetique Sam FBW, rode a perfect clear round in front of a packed arena under glorious blue skies, to take the 2015 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials title.

It was a hugely tense final show jumping round, where the reigning Olympic and European Champion could not afford a single pole down, with New Zealand’s Tim Price having already jumped a brilliant clear. The crowd was hushed as Jung and his 16-year-old Sam, arguably the best event horse of the modern era, rode into the arena, but another show jumping masterclass with just one touch on fence 12, secured Jung his first Burghley win.

“To come to Burghley is amazing; to ride the cross-country was wonderful and to win here at an event which is such a great tradition in the sport is just fantastic. This will be one of the highlights of my life,” said Jung. “I really enjoyed it here and hope I will have horses for it next year. Sam is like a good friend and we make a good partnership. 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.”

The Burghley win completed a double for Jung in the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing titles in 2015, with just the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials title preventing him from claiming the coveted prize and new Rolex Trophy.

Tim Price rode the ride of his life finishing in second place on Ringwood Sky Boy, just 1.5 penalty points behind Jung. This was also to be the second time he would be runner-up behind the German, having finished second behind Jung at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event earlier this year on his other horse, Wesko.

“The horse has been improving in every way, so I knew I could be up there in the dressage and hoped I’d stay there after the cross-country, but to still be in this position today is very exciting,” said Price. “Ringwood Sky Boy is not natural in the show jumping, but he tries very hard and he is learning to be careful at the right times.”

Price’s wife, Jonelle, whose fast cross-country round on Classic Moet had impressed everyone, unfortunately had one pole down in the final show jumping phase to drop her from third to fifth place.

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE RIDERS DOMINATE

It was a memorable Burghley for the southern hemisphere riders with the second to sixth places all claimed by riders from either Australia or New Zealand. Australia’s Christopher Burton delivered two sublime performances on both his rides, TS Jamaimo and Haruzac to finish third and fourth, and ensuring he was the only rider to finish on his dressage score of 45.0 on TS Jamaimo.

“I’m delighted with both horses. In 2004 as a young rider I flew a horse here from Australia, but we only got as far as fence 3,” said Burton. “Yesterday was the first time I’d seen the finish flags!”

Sir Mark Todd completed the domination from the southern hemisphere by riding a clear show jumping round to move up from seventh to sixth on Leonidas II.

France’s Cedric Lyard riding Cadeau Du Roi also rose one rank with a fault-free round to finish seventh. Great Britain’s Tina Cook jumped a brilliant clear with Star Witness to be best of the British in eighth, with Australia’s Sam Griffith on Paulank Brockagh in ninth and William Fox-Pitt climbing three places finishing the event in tenth despite having one fence down on Fernhill Pimms.

TOP 5 FINAL PLACINGS

1st   Michael Jung (GER), La Biosthetique Sam FRW, 40.0
2nd   Tim Price (NZL), Ringwood Sky Boy, 41.5
3rd   Christopher Burton (AUS), TS Mamaimo, 45.0
4th   Christopher Burton (AUS), Haruzac, 47.6
5th   Jonelle Price (NZL), Classic Monet, 48.9

For full results, please visit: http://www.bdwp.co.uk/bur/15/.

THE ROLEX GRAND SLAM OF EVENTING

When Rolex was inspired to link the three foremost eventing competitions in the world into a Grand Slam in 2001, it was immediately apparent that it would require a series of outstanding performances from a remarkable athlete to complete the challenge.

Kentucky, and Badminton – the British horse trials on which the modern sport of eventing was founded – run two weeks apart in the spring, and Burghley, in the east of England, is the autumn highlight of the global sport. All three have stunning settings and attract vast crowds over the four days of competition.

To date, only one rider – Rolex Eventing Testimonee Pippa Funnell – has won this most prestigious series. In 2003 the much-medalled mainstay of British teams for many years took the Rolex Kentucky crown on Primmore’s Pride. She progressed to Badminton a week later and won there on Supreme Rock, her double European Champion, and added the Burghley title that autumn on Primmore’s Pride – beating Zara Phillips into second place on her four-star debut at the same time. Pippa Funnell immediately joined the ranks of sporting greats, respected by her peers and the media alike as an exceptional athlete.

Since then, two of the three legs of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing have been won by four riders: the Australian Andrew Hoy, Britain’s William Fox-Pitt and Oliver Townend, and the New Zealand hero of six Olympic Games and current live Rolex Grand Slam contender, Andrew Nicholson. None of these top-class riders have yet succeeded in triumphing over the series and winning the final element of the Rolex Grand Slam.

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Merrick Haydon
merrick@revolutionsports.co.uk
+44 77481 868 33

Symansky Finishes in Top 15 at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI4*

Lynn Symansky and Donner (Libby Law Photography)

Stamford, England – The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI4* came to a close on Sunday with the show jumping phase in the main arena of the prestigious venue. Fifty combinations moved forward to the final phase over Richard Jeffery’s show jumping track. The U.S. combinations had a day of solid performances, led by USEF Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Lynn Symansky and Donner, who finished 14th in their Burghley debut.

Symansky (Middleburg, Va.) and The Donner Syndicate, LLC’s Donner began their week at Burghley by scoring 47.7, a personal best at the CCI4* level, in the dressage phase on Thursday. On Saturday, she and the 2003 Thoroughbred gelding made light work of the massive track, though took some time to settle into a rhythm and went the long routes at Maltings 360 and Discovery Valley, collecting 13.2 time penalties. In its show jumping round, the pair had a rail at fence three for four faults, but finished strongly, ending on a score of 64.9 in 14th place.

“I think jumping on turf is a challenge since we don’t practice on it a lot at home. He felt great this morning, but he got a little spooky in the ring and the footing is a bit holding so we had a rail,” Symansky explained. “Being the person that I am, I always want to do better, but I am thrilled with such a great finish in our first appearance at Burghley.”

Colleen Rutledge (Frederick, Md.) and her own Covert Rights, recipients of a Jacqueline B. Mars Competition Grant through the USET Foundation, had a great showing in the horse’s second CCI4* start and first appearance at Burghley. Rutledge gave the 2006 Thoroughbred Cross gelding solid rides throughout the three phases, beginning with the dressage phase where they earned a score of 46.5. On cross-country day the pair came home with no jumping penalties and 28.4 time penalties. Their weekend came to a close with a phenomenal double-clear round in the show jumping phase, putting them in 22nd place with a score of 74.9.

Laine Ashker (Henrico, Va.) and her own Anthony Patch also made their debut at Burghley and earned valuable experience on the international stage. She and the 1999 Thoroughbred gelding had a respectable dressage test to receive a score of 48.8. The pair completed the renowned cross-country course, but had a few issues along the way, collecting 40 jump penalties after stops at fences 4B of the Lion Bridge and 20A at the Land Rover Trout Hatchery and 46.4 time penalties. They knocked three rails for a 12-fault show jumping round, ending on a score of 147.2 in 48th place.

Michael Jung (GER) and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW claimed top honors with a final score of 40.0. Tim Price (NZL) and Ringwood Sky Boy finished in second with a 41.5, while the only combination to finish on its dressage score, Chris Burton (AUS) and TS Jamaimo, was third with a 45.0.

Find out more about the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI4*.

By Kathleen Landwehr

Michael Jung Makes History at Burghley and Ingrid Klimke Wins Series

One of the all-time greats: Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam, winners of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. Jung also finished second in the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 behind his compatriot Ingrid Klimke. (Trevor Meeks/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 6 September 2015 – A huge crowd rose to their feet in appreciation as Michael Jung (GER) and his wonderful horse La Biosthetique Sam jumped the perfect clear round to win the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.

Jung, who will be defending his European title next weekend, is the first German rider to win a British CCI4*, and he received a great reception from the crowd, who recognised a phenomenal horseman in action and had been surrounding him all weekend asking for ‘selfies’ and autographs.

“To come to Burghley is amazing; to ride the Cross Country was wonderful and to win here at an event which is such a great tradition in the sport is just fantastic. This will be one of the highlights of my life,” said Jung. “I really enjoyed it here and hope I will have horses for it next year.”

This is the 21st international event he has won with the 16-year-old Sam, which he describes as “being like a good friend – every time he gives me 100%.”

Jung also finished second in the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 behind his compatriot Ingrid Klimke, who was at Burghley to receive her cheque for $US 40,000 in the main arena.

Jung was under huge pressure coming into the arena as Tim Price (NZL) had conjured a beautiful clear round from the improving Ringwood Sky Boy to finish runner-up behind the German for the second time this year, following Kentucky (USA) in April.

“Sky Boy has been improving and I hoped that would show itself on the flat,” explained Tim. “He has always been a good Cross Country horse but to be still here today, in second place, is wonderful. He is not a natural showjumper but he is learning to try hard at the right moment.”

The talented Christopher Burton (AUS), who has never previously completed Burghley, had a perfect day with two clear rounds to finish third and fourth on TS Jamaimo and Haruzac.

“I haven’t had a very good run here before – I came here as a young rider from Australia in 2004 and fell off at the third fence, so just to see the finish flags was a pretty good feeling,” he said.

Jonelle Price (NZL) slipped from third to fifth when Classic Moet hit the first part of the treble, but clear rounds elevated Sir Mark Todd to sixth on Leonidas ll, Cedric Lyard (FRA) to seventh on Cadeau du Roi, Kristina Cook (Star Witness) to eighth and best British rider, and Sam Griffiths (AUS) and Paulank Brockagh to ninth.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) had a fence down on Fernhill Pimms but still rose three places to 10th. However, for the first time since the inception of the FEI Classics™ in 2008 he missed out on a cash prize. The Badminton winner finished on the same score, 24 points, as Tim Price, but the New Zealander took precedent in fourth place on the final leaderboard as, according to the rules, he had gained his points at fewer competitions.

How the FEI Classics™ was won

Ingrid Klimke (GER) is the first German rider to win the FEI Classics™ since the series began in 2008. She won Pau in 2014 (Horseware Hale Bob) and Luhmühlen (GER) this year on FRH Escada JS, and finished second (on Horseware Hale Bob) at Badminton.

Michael Jung (GER), second, won Kentucky on FischerRocana FST, and was third at Luhmühlen and first at Burghley on La Biosthetique Sam. Jonelle Price was fourth at Pau and second at Luhmühlen (Faerie Dianimo) and fifth at Burghley (Classic Moet). Her husband Tim was second at Kentucky (Wesko) and second at Burghley (Ringwood Sky Boy).

“I didn’t plan this or expect to win it,” said a delighted Klimke after receiving her cheque. “Now it seems that Germans are able to win CCI4*s! Chris Bartle [our trainer] makes us go all over the world and that gives us confidence. It’s great to win extra money like this, which will go straight back into my horses and therefore into the sport.”

About the FEI Classics™ winner

Ingrid Klimke (GER), 47, is enjoying her most successful season in a long and distinguished international career. The daughter of the late Dr Reiner Klimke, one of the most medalled Dressage riders in history, Klimke’s “day job” is producing Dressage horses but she has been a key member of the German Eventing squad since 1999.

With her first top horse, Sleep Late, she represented Germany at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, won European team and individual bronze medals in 2005 and world team gold in 2006, and set a German record when second at Badminton in 2006.

With FRH Butts Abraxxas, she won Olympic team gold in 2008 and 2012, plus European team gold in 2011, and was fourth at Burghley in 2013. Riding FRH Escada JS, she won European team gold and individual silver medals in 2013 and world team gold in 2014.

Klimke, who is based in Münster, Germany, is married to Andreas and has two daughters, Greta and Philippa. She is in great demand as a trainer and has written books on riding.

About the Burghley winner

Michael Jung (GER), 33, was the first rider in history to hold Olympic, World and European titles simultaneously and the first to win four championship titles consecutively.

He first came to prominence in 2009, when he won the Luhmühlen CCI4*, the FEI World Cup™ Eventing final in Strzegom (POL) and an individual European bronze medal in Fontainebleau (FRA), all on La Biosthetique Sam.

The pair went on to win the world title in Kentucky (USA) in 2010, double European gold in Luhmühlen in 2011 and double Olympic gold in London (GBR) in 2012 and, in 2013, they were second at Badminton CCI4*.

Jung won a second European title, at Malmö (SWE) in 2013 on Halunke, and last year finished second at Luhmühlen and won world team gold and individual silver medals on FisherRocana FST. He lives at Horb, Germany, where his parents, Joachim and Bridgette, own a riding establishment.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics and #Eventing.

See full FEI Classics™ 2014/2015 leaderboard: http://bit.ly/1VHbi8j.

By Kate Green

Burghley Media Contact:

Carole Pendle/Brand Rapport
cpendle@brand-rapport.com
+44 7768 462601

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Jung Bounces Back to Lead with Sam at Burghley

Master at work: Michael Jung (GER) and La Biosthetique Sam lead after Cross Country at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Trevor Meeks/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 5 September, 2015 – Michael Jung (GER) showed the mark of a true champion when bouncing back from a dramatic early mishap to take the Cross Country lead on his second horse, La Biosthetique Sam, at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.

Jung only got as far as fence 4 on his joint Dressage leader, FischerRocana FST, where, to gasps from the crowd, the mare tripped and fell in the water. But he was masterful aboard his Olympic, world and European champion Sam, finishing just two seconds over time to rise seven places to first.

“My first Cross Country ride at Burghley was pretty quick – about 40 seconds,” joked the world number one. “I got back to the stables and my brother said: ‘Never mind, you’ve already gone up a place on Sam!’

“I know the horse very well now; we’ve had many experiences together, and he was really fighting for me and jumping well. This event is such a great tradition, so it’s wonderful to be here.”

William Fox-Pitt (GBR), the joint Dressage leader on Fernhill Pimms, suffered a rare lapse of concentration. He had the misfortune to be held on course before fence 23, a big spread on a downhill slope, while it was being repaired. Then, when taking the long route at the next obstacle, the Discovery Valley complex, he galloped past the second element and had to retrace his steps.

“It’s been good and bad,” said Fox-Pitt, who is now 13th with 20.4 time penalties. “The horse was fantastic, but I’m sad to have let him down and had a mental blank.”

New Zealander Tim Price had by far his best Burghley in five attempts and is now in second place on Ringwood Sky Boy, just 1.5 penalties behind Jung. However, his day was not without drama either, as a wasp got inside his vest halfway round the course and stung him.

“I had this strange scratchy feeling, which I was trying to adjust,” said Price, laughing. “When I got back to the finish, I lifted my shirt up and out flew a wasp. He was pretty angry, too!”

Price had one of the fastest rounds of the day for 2.8 penalties but there was an unnerving scramble over a fence in the water at the Trout Hatchery. “Sky Boy is not the most conventional jumper and he’s got a long stride for the technical elements. This was one of those courses where you have to change your plan and make decisions on the spot,” explained the rider.

It was a good day for family Price as Tim’s wife, Jonelle, is in third place, only 3.4 penalties behind him. Jonelle had a brilliant round on Classic Moet and was one of only two riders to finish inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 12 seconds. “My mare was pretty faultless from start to finish,” she said.

Australian Christopher Burton was the first to achieve the time, on second ride TS Jamaimo, and he has risen 17 places to fourth; he is also in fifth place on Haruzac, previously 11th after Dressage.

Australian and New Zealand riders are to the fore, with Bill Levett (AUS) up 13 places to sixth on Improvise and Sir Mark Todd (NZL) moving up five places to seventh on Leonidas ll, despite a scary moment when the horse dived at the corner fence at 15.

“I had a couple of hairy moments because the horse was drifting left, which made the fences seem even bigger,” said the five-time Burghley winner who revealed that the German-bred gelding has missed work with an infection. “But he was so brave and I’m thrilled with him as it’s the biggest track he’s jumped, a good old-fashioned four-star course.”

Frenchman Cedric Lyard is ninth after a good performance on Cadeau du Roi and Oliver Townend (GBR) is best of the British in ninth place, having been a brilliant trailblazer with his confident opening round on CCI4* first timer Dromgurrihy Blue.

Townend was also last on course with the experienced Armada, and had the competition at his mercy, but an uncharacteristic mistake, a run-out in the Trout Hatchery, left the rider slapping his head in frustration and dropped him from fifth after Dressage to 18th.

Kristina Cook is next best Briton, in 10th on Star Witness, having survived a near unseating at the Trout Hatchery when she was hanging right out of the saddle. “I’m really proud. It’s always great to have a ride like this with a horse you’ve produced from nothing,” she said. “He was so honest and he helped me out.”

Riders had been instructed at the competitor briefing to bear in mind the climb uphill to the huge Cottesmore Leap (fence 13) which came earlier than usual due to Course Designer Mark Phillips (GBR) reversing the direction of his track.

Pippa Funnell (GBR), 12th on the scopey Redesigned, admitted she was kicking herself after being too conservative early on. “If I have a frustration, it’s that I lost time in the first three minutes,” she said. “But this is some horse to sit on at big fences like the Cottesmore Leap and my ride was everything I hoped for. It’s why I come here!”

Seven of the top 10 riders after Dressage dropped from the reckoning. Sam Griffiths (AUS), third on Happy Times, and Rosalind Canter (GBR), 10th on Allstar B, had run-outs at the Discovery Valley; Andrew Hoy (AUS), fourth, was unseated when Rutherglen glanced off the corner at Capability’s Cutting, and Niklas Bschorer (GER) had a refusal with Tom Tom Go 3 at the right-handed bounce out of the Anniversary Splash and retired.

Overall, however, it was a highly successful day, with 42 clears from the 68 Cross Country starters and 55 completions. “This is a good ratio for a course of this size,” commented Mark Phillips. “I’m a relieved and happy man tonight!”

Tomorrow’s Jumping finale promises to be a thriller. Can Michael Jung and Sam add Burghley to their long list of accolades? Find out by following the action on www.burghley-horse.co.uk and www.burghley.tv and, in Britain, on BBC Red Button.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics and #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Burghley Media Contact:

Carole Pendle/Brand Rapport
cpendle@brand-rapport.com
+44 7768 462601

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Fox-Pitt Raises the Stakes with Joint Dressage Lead at Burghley

The race is on: William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Fernhill Pimms draw level with Michael Jung (GER) and FischerRocana FST after Dressage at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Trevor Meeks/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 4 September 2015 – The world’s two leading event riders are sharing the top spot after Dressage at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.

William Fox-Pitt, a record six-time winner here, has raised the stakes with a brilliant performance on CCI4* first-timer Fernhill Pimms which equalled the Olympic champion Michael Jung’s (GER) score of 34.2 on FisherRocana FST yesterday.

Their only mistake in an attractive test was a fluffed first flying change which scored fours. “I’m delighted with Pimms; that’s the first time he’s done that test in an arena – there’s four flying changes and that’s a big step up,” said the world number two. “He’s a lovely horse to ride on the flat; he loves showing off.”

Fox-Pitt took on the ride on Fernhill Pimms, an 11-year-old by Ard VDL Douglas, in 2013. The horse was produced in Ireland by Portuguese rider Duarte Seabra for Carol Gee, who owns him with Catherine Witt. Fox-Pitt won the prestigious young horse CIC3* at Blenheim (GBR) in 2013 on the bay gelding and finished fifth at Bramham CCI3* (GBR) this year.

In contrast, Sam Griffiths (AUS), who is lying third on Happy Times with a score of 36.8, has the security of knowing he is on one of the most experienced horses in the sport, let alone at Burghley. The 16-year-old by Heraldik, also the damsire of Michael Jung’s La Biosthetique Sam, has been placed five times at Burghley.

“He’s always very consistent on the flat, but he really pulled out the stops today,” said Griffiths, who is also equal 14th on his 2013 Badminton winner Paulank Brockagh.

Griffiths’ compatriot Andrew Hoy has now slipped a couple of places to fourth on Rutherglen, with just a 0.9 penalty ahead of another hugely experienced combination, Oliver Townend (GBR) and the 16-year-old Armada. They brought the afternoon to an exciting conclusion when scoring 38.7.

“I’ll be a stone lighter this time tomorrow,” Townend joked, a reference to his being the only rider to have three horses. “The first one [Dromgurrihy Blue, currently lying 24th] is an unknown quantity at this level and distance; the second [Samuel Thomas ll, equal 53rd] is only a baby but I love riding him; and everyone knows Armada.”

Tim Price (NZL), riding the Irish Sport Horse gelding Ringwood Sky Boy, is in sixth place; he will be aiming for a first placing at his fourth attempt at Burghley.

Michael Jung (GER) on his second horse, La Biosthetique Sam, is sharing seventh place with another German first-timer at Burghley, 20-year-old Niklas Bschorer on Tom Tom Go 3, on the healthy score of 38.7.

Frenchman Cedric Lyard is ninth on Cadeau du Roi ahead of British first-timer Rosalind Canter (Allstar B), 10th, who is hanging on to her spot ahead of a cluster of experienced antipodeans including five-time Burghley winner Sir Mark Todd, equal 12th on Leonidas ll.

Riders are viewing Capt Mark Phillips’s Cross Country course, which runs in a reverse direction to usual, with plenty of respect and a bit of trepidation. “It’s tough out there,” commented Sam Griffiths. “You need a power jumper with some blood. This is a course that will find out any weaknesses.”

Fox-Pitt, who plans to take all the straight routes, added: “Mark has been very brave. Everyone will have their work cut out because we’re all starting from a blank sheet with the different direction. The first three fences are the only nice ones! I think Pimms is ready for it. I just want him to rise to the challenge and go well.”

Oliver Townend will be first out onto the course at 11am tomorrow on Dromgurrihy Blue; follow the action on www.burghley-horse.co.uk and www.burghley.tv and, in Britain, on BBC Red Button.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics and #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Burghley Media Contact:

Carole Pendle/Brand Rapport
cpendle@brand-rapport.com
+44 7768 462601

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Michael Jung Makes Flying Start at Burghley

Michael Jung (GER) makes his debut in style at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/201, by taking the lead after the first day of Dressage on FischerRocana FST. (Trevor Meeks/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 3 September, 2015 – As anticipated, the reigning Olympic and European champion Michael Jung (GER) has made quite an impression on his first visit to the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015, and is in the lead after the first day of Dressage.

The Ground Jury, President Nick Burton (GBR), Andrew Bennie (NZL) and Christina Klingspor (SWE), unanimously placed him out in front on his first ride, FischerRocana FST, with a mark of 34.2 for a classy test that was beautifully light, harmonious and happy.

“She was very relaxed, easy to ride and gave me a good feeling,” said Jung of the 11-year-old mare on which he won Kentucky, second leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015, in which Jung is lying second in the rankings behind his compatriot Ingrid Klimke (GER).

Andrew Hoy (AUS), who first won Burghley in 1979 before Jung was even born, also broke the 40-penalty barrier and is in second place with Rutherglen on a score of 37.8 after a reliably smooth and attractive test.

Hoy, 56, is due a change of luck: he fell in the water on both his rides at Badminton, although he had a good run when finishing seventh on his Burghley ride Rutherglen, a powerful Hannoverian gelding, at the recent Aachen (GER) CIC3*.

Another rider who will not remember Hoy’s first Burghley win is third-placed Niklas Bschorer (GER), who scored 39.2 in a well-ridden test on Tom Tom Go 3. At 20, he is the youngest in the field of 74 runners but his riding style is mature.

Bschorer’s Badminton debut ended abruptly when his air-jacket blew up on the Cross Country, but he was ninth at Luhmühlen (GER) in June and could easily trouble his seniors this weekend.

There were loud cheers for the diminutive Rosalind Canter and the giant 173cms Allstar B. The British pair have made an impressive start at their first CCI4* and are best of the home side in fourth place on 40.2 after a calm and accomplished performance. Canter took over the ride on the 10-year-old Allstar B, a Dutch warmblood by Ephebe For Ever, in 2012. Their best international result is seventh at Bramham CCI3* (GBR) last year.

“The Cross Country is really big!” she said. “I’m slightly terrified but really excited. I’m over the moon to have done a mistake-free Dressage test here,” she added. “The more noise and people the better for him. I’d hoped to score in the 40s, so to be nearly in the 30s is great.

“I’ve been coming to Burghley for years to watch as it’s my local event and I’ve got lots of friends here today supporting me. I had wanted to do my first four-star before I was 30 – I’m 29 and three-quarters – so I’ve just got there!”

Australians Christopher Burton (Haruzac), Sam Griffiths on his 2014 Badminton winner Paulank Brockagh, and Paul Tapner (Vanir Kamira), all of whom have yet to win at Burghley, occupy the next three places. Pippa Funnell (GBR), who triumphed here 12 years ago, is eighth on Redesigned.

Funnell was, as ever, endearingly emotional as she left the arena, having scored 43.0 on the 14-year-old chestnut owned by Denise and Roger Lincoln, owners of her 2003 winner, Primmore’s Pride. Redesigned, a magnificent chestnut by Canute, promised much when fifth at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games™, but has been a difficult horse to manage.

“The greatest thing with this horse is that he’s relaxed today,” she said. “It’s all about the Cross Country with him and it’s hard to keep him focussed in the arena.”

When asked about her chances this weekend, the former dual European champion replied: “Everyone knows that I always work on negative psychology, I’m never confident. I doubt myself, but not my horse, who has all the ability in the world. I’ve just got to try to hold him!”

Cross Country course designer Mark Phillips (GBR) has set riders an intriguing test as he has reversed the direction of his track. This means that the Lion Bridge water complexes, where crowds of spectators lean over the bridge to get a bird’s eye view of the action, come up early at fences 4, 5 and 6.

Capability’s Cutting, at fences 9 and 10, has possibly the most difficult obstacle on the course, an acutely angled corner, and at 18 there is the traditional enormous white oxer at The Maltings. The famous Trout Hatchery (20-21) has five efforts, but riders will not be able to relax after that as the notorious Discovery Valley (24 and 28) and Leaf Pit drop (26, 27) are still to come.

“The course here is very different to the other four-stars; it looks tough with lots of ups and downs,” commented Michael Jung, whose past CCI4* successes include a win at Luhmühlen (GER), second place at Badminton (GBR) and third at Pau (FRA). “I will start out steadily and, hopefully, if my horses are giving me a good feeling, I will be able to go for the time. I’m very happy to be here; it’s a fantastic competition.”

Tomorrow, Jung will ride his London 2012 double Olympic gold medal partner La Biosthetique Sam. Funnell, who has withdrawn Mirage d’Elle, rides Second Supreme, Jonelle Price (NZL) who has withdrawn The Deputy, rides Classic Moet, and Christopher Burton, Sam Griffiths and Paul Tapner all have their second horses. There’s also six-times winner William Fox-Pitt (GBR) on his only ride, Fernhill Pimms, plus five-time winner Sir Mark Todd (NZL) on Leonidas ll. Last of all is the 2009 winner Oliver Townend (GBR) on the brilliant CCI4* horse Armada.

First horse is into the arena at 9.30am tomorrow. Follow the action on www.burghley-horse.co.uk and www.burghley.tv.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics and #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Burghley Media Contact:

Carole Pendle/Brand Rapport
cpendle@brand-rapport.com
+44 7768 462601

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Olympic Champion Jung Makes Burghley Debut

Michael Jung (GER), pictured here on La Biosthetique Sam at Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by DHL (GER) in June, has won most of the glittering prizes on offer in the sport of Eventing, but the reigning Olympic and European Champion has yet to take on the special challenges of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Eventing Photo/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 31 August 2015 – Michael Jung (GER) has won most of the glittering prizes on offer in the sport of Eventing, but the reigning Olympic and European Champion has yet to take on the special challenges of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), sixth and final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.

Spectators will be treated to the sight of this master horseman tackling the big, bold Cross Country track in the beautiful grounds of Elizabethan Burghley House on his two top horses. Jung is bringing the mare fisherRocana FST, a world team gold and individual silver medallist last year, and old favourite La Biosthetique Sam, his Olympic, world and European champion. The two horses finished first and second at Kentucky (USA) in April, the third leg in the FEI Classics™ series.

Ingrid Klimke (GER), who has established a clear lead in the FEI Classics™, is not entered for Burghley as she is focusing on next week’s Longines FEI European Eventing Championships in Blair Castle (GBR), but Jung, who is currently second in the rankings, William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Jonelle Price (NZL), third and fourth respectively, will be jostling for the five money prizes. The three are currently ranked first, second and third in the world.

Fox-Pitt (GBR), a record six-time winner at Burghley, is expected to save his top horse, Bay My Hero, for the British team at Blair Castle the following weekend, but he has an able mount in the form of the relatively inexperienced Fernhill Pimms. Price, also, has only one ride, the experienced Irish Sport Horse The Deputy.

Sir Mark Todd (NZL), currently just outside the money prizes in sixth place in the FEI Classics™, has already won Burghley five times. The great Kiwi horseman has been enjoying a stellar season and must have an excellent chance here on Leonidas ll, fourth at Badminton in May.

An impressive New Zealand entry is completed by Jock Paget on Shady Grey, 10th in the FEI Classics™, and Tim Price, seventh, on Ringwood Sky Boy, but, for the first time for more than 25 years, the nation’s line up will not include Andrew Nicholson. The five-time winner and defending champion, who has won the last three runnings of Burghley on Avebury, is currently recovering from the neck injury sustained in a heavy fall at Gatcombe last month.

For an even longer Burghley record, one has to return to 1979, when a young Australian, Andrew Hoy, won on the little stock horse, Davey. It took him 25 years to win again, in 2004 on Moonfleet, and for the 2015 edition he pins his hopes on Rutherglen.

The field also includes two more former British winners, Pippa Funnell and Oliver Townend, who could have three rides apiece. Interestingly, for both riders, their best chances may lie with spectacular, long-striding chestnut geldings, Redesigned (Funnell) and Armada (Townend), but neither horse is the easiest in the Jumping phase.

Around 80 horses from eight nations are expected to start at what promises to be as thrilling a Burghley as ever. The full startlist and live results are on www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

Use hashtags #FEIClassics and #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Burghley CCI4* Media Contact:

Carole Pendle/Brand Rapport
cpendle@brand-rapport.com
+44 7768 462601

FEI Media Contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45