Tag Archives: Burghley Horse Trials

Americans Finish Strong at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

Marilyn Little and RF Demeter (Libby Law Photography)

Lexington, Ky. – The final day at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials at Burghley House, Stamford in Lincolnshire, England wrapped up the event on Sunday with the show jumping phase of competition. Just two Americans were left in the competition, as Hannah Sue Burnett withdrew Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot due to concern over a minor injury. In consultation with the Team Veterinarian and Chef d’Equipe, it was decided that it was in the best interest of the horse to not contest the final phase, and save him for another day, as a bright future lies ahead for the pair. Meghan O’Donoghue and Pirate were eliminated during the cross country phase.

Marilyn Little (Frederick, Md.), a Karen E. Stives High Performance Eventing Grant recipient, and Team Demeter, LLC’s RF Demeter were one of just 12 double-clear rounds of the 38 finishers. Little and the 12-year-old Oldenburg mare finished on a three-day score of 96.9 in 20th place.

Allison Springer and Arthur (Libby Law Photography)
Allison Springer and Arthur (Libby Law Photography)

Allison Springer (Upperville, Va.) and Arthur Syndicate, LLC’s 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse Cross gelding, Arthur, finished the show jumping course with just eight faults. The pair finished just behind Little and RF Demeter with an overall score 97.6 in 21st place.

New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson and Avebury took home the title with an overall total of 48.1, after just two faults in the show jumping phase. Fellow countryman Jonathan Paget and Clifton Promise jumped an immaculate clear round to finish with an overall score of 55.2 and earn second place, and Australian Sam Griffiths and Happy Times earned third place with an overall total of 57.8.

To view the final results, go to http://www.bdwp.co.uk/bur/14/.

For more information on the Land Rover Burghley International Horse Trials, click here.

Follow the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.

History Is Made as Andrew Nicholson Claims Hat-Trick of Burghley Horse Trials

Photo: ROLEX.

Avebury is the first horse in the history of the competition to win three times in succession

(Burghley, UK, 7 September 2014) Andrew Nicholson (NZL), riding Avebury, today Sunday 7 May 2014, made history and produced a thrilling and faultless ride to win the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials for the third consecutive year. Jonathan Paget (NZL) riding Clifton Promise was in 2nd place and Sam Griffiths (AUS) riding Happy Times came in 3rd place.

New Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing ‘Live Contender’

As the winner of the 2014 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Andrew Nicholson is now the new ‘live contender’ for the prestigious Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing accolade. Nicholson will now target the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and try and win the next stage of the three leg phase to become the second ever rider to have won this exceptional award.

Results after the final Show Jumping Phase

1. Andrew Nicholson / Avebury (NZL) 48.1
2. Jonathan Paget / Clifton Promise (NZL) 55.2
3. Sam Griffiths / Happy Times (AUS) 57.8
4. William Fox-Pitt / Bay My Hero (GBR) 60.3
5. Gemma Tattersall / Arctic Soul (GBR) 64.2
6. Bill Levett / Improvise (AUS) 65.9
7. Izzy Taylor / Kbis Briarlands Matilda (GBR) 67.5
8. Oliver Townend / Armada (GBR) 71.1
9. Jonelle Price / The Deputy (NZL) 71.1
10. Murray Lamperd / Under The Clocks (AUS) 79.0

With just 12 clear rounds from the 39 riders that started the final show jumping phase, Nicholson entered the arena knowing he needed a good performance in order to be crowned the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials victor and become the new Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing ‘live contender’.

Despite the perfect weather conditions and good ground, the 580 meter course, created by acclaimed Course Designer Richard Jeffrey, proved tricky for the morning’s competitors, after yesterday’s adrenaline-charged cross-country course with only three clear rounds between them. In the afternoon session, Jonathan Paget produced a faultless round, putting the pressure on Sam Griffiths. A few unlucky touches resulted in eight faults for the Badminton winner, knocking him into third place and allowing Paget to move into second.

The atmosphere was tense with silence falling amongst the crowd for Nicholson’s round. Avebury was looking full of energy as they entered the ring, 13 jumps away from making history and becoming the first horse and rider combination to win the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials consecutively over three years. The packed grandstands went wild as the established partnership neatly jumped over the final double, producing a clear round and claiming victory at Burghley once more.

Rider Quotes

Andrew Nicholson riding Avebury: “I didn’t feel that cool during that, I can tell you. He’s a good jumper; he’s been there and done it all. I don’t have to worry about him getting nervous with all the people; I just have to keep calm and ride him like I normally ride him. It’s a big team effort when you have a horse like this who has now won this three times in a row; they’re as passionate as I am that he does well. For me, I’ve had a very bad year this year; I threw away Badminton on Nereo, and I shouldn’t have fallen off when I did. The World Equestrian Games – I was ninth when I wanted to get a medal so I’ve been putting quite a lot of pressure on him to win here. Hopefully I will be able to go to Kentucky and go for the Rolex Grand Slam but I am a little light on horses at the moment, so we will assess in February and see how we are going.”

Sam Griffiths riding Happy Times: “I always knew the last line was going to be difficult for this horse, he had a rail down early on and apart from that I don’t think he touched a fence, so yeah, I was quite disappointed to come out two down. It’s a very tense atmosphere; the horses have to be so good after jumping round that course yesterday. I really wanted to try and win for him here; he really deserves a four star win.”

Jonathan Paget riding Clifton Promise: “I was very happy with him jumping clear. He’s pretty seasoned and knows his job pretty well; he was very cool and calm throughout the whole thing which makes my job easy to guide him round. I’m very happy with my horse; he’s performed for me like he normally does, you know; he went in and we had fun together.”

For more information on the 2014 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and full Results/Leaderboard, please visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing

In 2001, Rolex created the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. This prize is awarded to the rider who manages to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials event in any consecutive order. Until now, only British rider Pippa Funnell has managed this staggering achievement, winning the title in 2003.

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Burnett Withdraws Harbour Pilot from 2014 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

Stamford, England – Hannah Sue Burnett (The Plains Va.) has elected to withdraw Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot from further competition at the 2014 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. The Karen E. Stives High Performance Eventing Grant recipients had a brilliant round over Captain Mark Philips’ cross country track on Saturday to rise to 7th place on the strength of clear jumping and an efficient round that saw them only collect 13.2 time faults.

Due to concern over a minor injury, Burnett, in consultation with the Team Veterinarian and Chef d’Equipe, has decided it is in the best interest of the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding to not contest the show jumping phase this afternoon, and save him for another day as a bright future lies ahead for the pair.

All of Harbour Pilot’s connections look forward to seeing him competing again soon.

From the USEF Communications Department

Avebury Is the Star of Burghley Again

Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Avebury complete a superb Cross Country round to take the lead at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, final leg of the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014. (Trevor Holt/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 6 September 2014 – Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Avebury, one of the most brilliant partnerships in Eventing, have swept into the lead after the Cross Country phase at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), climax of the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014, with a trademark display of fluency and accuracy that was a joy to watch.

The pair, winners of the last two Burghleys, brought an action-packed day to an uplifting end with their masterful, economic clear, the fastest of the day. They were only 14 seconds over the optimum time of 11 minutes 19 seconds, and one of only three combinations to finish with time penalties in single figures.

However, Nicholson, who has risen from fourth place after Dressage to take the overnight lead, has no margin for error in tomorrow’s Jumping final. He does not have a fence in hand over Sam Griffiths (AUS), who is lying second after setting the early standard with a superb round on the veteran CCI4* campaigner, Happy Times. Oliver Townend (GBR) is third after a great ride with another renowned Cross Country horse, Nicholson’s former ride Armada.

The 14-year-old Avebury, a horse Nicholson bred himself by the Irish Draught/thoroughbred Jumbo out of a thoroughbred mare, Memento, is quite a character and tends to have likings for particular venues – he has won the CIC3* at Barbury (GBR) three times in succession, for instance.

“Just to come here three years running on the same horse is amazing, let alone having the chance to win again,” said Nicholson. “He’s got a great competitive attitude and he loves the crowds. I set off quite conservatively on him because I knew I had a bit in hand but he really prefers it if I ride him like I stole him. He’s a fun horse to ride fast and he loves it when I turn him tightly.”

Sam Griffiths (AUS), who headed the leaderboard right until the end of the day, was held twice on course, at five-and-a-half minutes and then again on the downhill run home through Winner’s Avenue. “I was having a cracking round when I was stopped the first time,” said Griffiths.

“I admit I was quite pleased to have a stop, but it did break our rhythm both times. But the crowd was amazing, sharing bottles of water and encouraging me. It’s the longest Cross Country round of my life, but it still feels good to jump clear round Burghley.”

Townend, the last rider to achieve the Badminton-Burghley double, in 2009, said of Armada, his Badminton runner-up this year: “We all know what a wonderful Cross Country horse he is. If you put him in the right place at the right pace, he’ll always help you, but I found it very noticeable how soon I found myself behind the time today.”

A deceptive humidity in the air plus subtle changes to Mark Phillips’s track meant the optimum time of 11min 19sec was impossible to achieve and it took riders a while to work out the most economic routes on his new twisting lines.

Dressage leader Jock Paget (NZL) produced a determined clear on Clifton Promise but he took a long route, as planned, at the Land Rover Dairy Farm (fence 20), as well as an unplanned circle at the Trout Hatchery and was as surprised as anyone when he stopped the clock with 16.4 time penalties to drop to fourth.

“I think the Trout Hatchery might have cost me the win,” said Paget reflectively. “I planned to go straight, but he did a little jink, rather like a half-pass, and I was suddenly facing the wrong way. I looked at my watch at fence 27 and when I saw 11 minutes I thought ‘you’re kidding me’. But I couldn’t have come home any faster – the horse gave me his all.”

Izzy Taylor (GBR), one of Britain’s best Cross Country riders, had the joint fourth fastest time of 11.2 penalties on the little mare KBIS Briarlands Matilda and has risen seven places to fifth. “It wasn’t beautiful – in fact it was a bit hairy,” she said. “It’s a busy, twisting course, but the going was great.”

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and the lovely Irish-bred gelding Bay My Hero, the Dressage runners-up, had a couple of green moments and were then held in front of the Stamford Station, an imposing white oxer at fence 27. They eventually finished with 20.8 time penalties and are in sixth place.

The USA’s Hannah Sue Burnett rode a neat round on Harbour Pilot and is now best of the 17 Burghley first-timers in seventh, an improvement of seven places after Dressage.

There were 36 clear rounds from the 63 starters and 42 completions.

Andrew Hoy, lying fifth after Dressage on Rutherglen, was arguably going as well as anyone and was especially neat with his line through the Trout Hatchery (fences 13 and 14) but then decided to pull up at the far end of the course in front of fence 21.

Alison Springer and Arthur, sixth, dropped to 20th with a run-out at the open corner at the Maltings (fence 18) and Aoife Clarke (IRL), seventh, had a rather erratic ride on Vaguely North which ended with a fall at the Stamford Station.

Luhmühlen winner Tim Price was unshipped when Ringwood Sky Boy hit one of the airy hurdle fences, a nod to the late Lord Burghley’s career as an Olympic hurdler, that comprised an influential new “slalom” question in the main arena at fence 4.

Sarah Bullimore (Valentino V), the trailblazer and American rider Marilyn Little (RF Demeter), 10th after Dressage, were both given 21 penalties for breaking a frangible fence.

Tragically, Sara Squires’ (GBR) horse Orto was euthanized in the veterinary clinic after hitting his stifle at fence 19. Three riders were taken to hospital: Natalie Blundell (AUS) and Gina Ruck (GBR) with suspected broken legs and Neil Spratt (NZL) for a precautionary examination.

Complete results http://www.bdwp.co.uk/bur/14/.

Follow all the action with live scoring on www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

See full standings here.

Prize money

At the end of the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014 season, the five riders with the highest number of points collected across the six FEI Classics™ events will share a total prize fund of US$120,000 split as follows: 1st – US$40,000 (Series Champion); 2nd – US$35,000; 3rd – US$25,000; 4th – US$15,000; 5th – US$5,000.

Join the FEI on Facebook & Twitter.

Our signature Twitter hashtags for this series are #Classics and #Eventing. We encourage you to use them, and if you have space: #FEI Classics™ #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Media Contacts:

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

At Burghley:

Carole Pendle
Press Officer Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials
+44 7768 462 601
cpendle@brand-rapport.com

Andrew Nicholson on Course for a Burghley Horse Trials Hat Trick

Sam Griffiths, current Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing contender, in second place

(Burghley, UK, 6 September 2014) Andrew Nicholson (NZL) riding Avebury lies in 1st place at the 2014 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials after today’s cross-country. Current Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing ‘live contender’ Sam Griffiths (AUS) riding Happy Times is lying in 2nd place with Great Britain’s Oliver Townend riding Armada in 3rd place.

The course, designed by Captain Mark Philips, proved tricky following a misty start to the cross-county phase of the competition at Burghley House in Stamford, Lincolnshire. Horses from 11 nations spanning Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, USA and the UK competed with the undulating ground for the substantial £62,000 first prize.

24 horses were either eliminated or retired on the 6,420 meter course. Despite the good ground conditions the water elements in particular proved tough for many of the horse and rider partnerships, resulting in the 11 minute 19 second optimum time proving elusive. Current Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing ‘live contender’ Sam Griffiths took an early lead, despite being held twice on the course, and is now lying in second after setting a highly competitive score that only eventing legend, Andrew Nicholson was able to match.

Rider Quotes:

Andrew Nicholson riding Avebury: “I thought it went really well; the conditions were perfect. All I can do is ride to the best of my ability and all Avebury can do is jump to the best of his. He just has such a dependable and competitive attitude; he can deal with the terrain pretty easily and he loves the crowds. They seem to get closer every year and this year they were noisier than normal which most horses get nervous with, but he loves it. This is one of the best partnerships I’ve had. He’s very consistent; he comes out with the goods and hopefully he will tomorrow.”

Sam Griffiths riding Happy Times: “Burghley is such a prestigious event; it’s one of our Majors. It’s part of the Rolex Grand Slam which includes Badminton and Kentucky over in the States; it’s one we all want to win and with the Rolex Grand Slam in mind it’s one of our major events that we definitely want to win.”

Oliver Townend riding Armada: “It wasn’t spectacular; everybody knows Armada is a fantastic cross-country horse but with that comes pressure on yourself to make sure he’s in the right place. The best he does in the show jumping is usually two down so we’ll go out there and do our best tomorrow.”

Jonathan Paget riding Clifton Promise: “I had to change my plan at the water which cost me a bit of time. My horse was very honest and jumped all the jumps. Watching some of the other horses I think they set out a bit too fast and ran out of horse on the way home. I didn’t want to be in the position where I was chasing a tired horse home. I was careful in the beginning to not waste too much energy but maybe I should’ve just cut through the short lines. In previous years in the show jumping I’ve had a pole down; I can’t afford to do that tomorrow but if I had to pick a horse for show jumping it would be him.”

William Fox-Pitt riding Bay My Hero: “I was delighted with my horse; he really did try hard. It was hard work out there; it’s a very twisty track to ride. The conditions were really, really humid and I think it’s been tough for the horses – they needed cooling down before they’d even started! Where you can usually whizz along down the hill towards the end they were plugging along, it certainly wasn’t a recovery period of the track that it usually is. He’s usually a good jumper but I think today has taken a lot out of him; it’ll be interesting to see how he comes out tomorrow but he will try his best.”

Izzy Taylor riding Kbis Briarlands Matilda: “The conditions are really good; the horses are tiring but that’s because of the way the course is laid out; it’s not a pretty cross-county course; you have to be effective to get round and we did that. The ground is perfect; it’s not too hard. I’m really thrilled with my horse. The combinations were tricky but you just need to be very alert and very sharp and make it happen.”

Hannah Sue Burnett riding Harbour Pilot: “I’ve been so nervous this week, more nervous than ever before. The course rode extremely fast. After the combinations it felt pretty good; he was jumping fantastically. I was watching some other rounds and quite a lot of people at the Dairy Mound were jumping down the bank, which I didn’t expect at all because I thought that would take a lot more time, but I stuck to my plan and took the short way there. He actually accelerated up the hill to the last fence. I was like ‘Is this really happening?!’ He actually pulled both hind shoes; I didn’t notice until I went to the goose which is like the scariest jump on the course because it’s so upright and they’re so tired – he’s the best horse in the world!”

For more information on the 2014 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and full Results/Leaderboard, please visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

A New Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Contender

Having won the 2014 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, Sam Griffiths (AUS) is the current live contender for the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Prize worth US$350,000. To win the prize, he will need to repeat his success from Badminton and claim a win at this year’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. If he can complete this immense challenge, he will go forward to the 2015 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, with a win making him only the second person to be a Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Champion, joining Pippa Funnell.

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing

In 2001, Rolex created the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. This prize is awarded to the rider who manages to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials event in any consecutive order. Until now, only British rider Pippa Funnell has managed this staggering achievement, winning the title in 2003.

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Americans Set for Cross Country at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

Lexington, Ky. – Day two at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials at Burghley House, Stamford in Lincolnshire, England, wrapped up the dressage test on Friday, as a talented international field performed in front of the judging panel of Christian Landolt, Ernst Topp, and Angela Tucker. With three U.S. riders completing their tests Thursday, Hannah Sue Burnett (The Plains, Va.) was the final American to perform her test with Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot. The Karen E. Stives High Performance Eventing Grant recipient and the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding had an impressive test, earning a 48.5 and putting them in 14th place.

Entering Saturday’s cross country course, fellow American Allison Springer (Upperville, Va.) sits in sixth place with Arthur Syndicate, LLC’s 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse Cross gelding, Arthur. The pair earned a 41.2 in its test on Thursday.

Marylyn Little (Frederick, Md.) and Team Demeter, LLC’s RF Demeter are in 10th place, as the Karen E. Stives High Performance Eventing Grant recipient and the 12-year-old Oldenburg mare earned a 47.5 for their performance.

USEF Land Rover Competition Grant recipient Meghan O’Donoghue (Carbondale, Ill.) rode her own Pirate to a score of 54.2. She and the 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding lie in 30th place.

New Zealand’s Jonathan Paget and Clifton Promise lead the field with a score of 38.8 following the two days of dressage dressage. Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt sits in second place with Bay My Hero on a score of 39.5, and Australian Sam Griffiths and Happy Times earned third place with a score of 40.2.

Cross country will begin tomorrow at 11:30 a.m., local time, 5:30 a.m. ET.

To view live scores, go to http://www.bdwp.co.uk/bur/14/.

For more information on the Land Rover Burghley International Horse Trials, click here.

Follow the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.

Paget Heads the Chasing Pack at Burghley

Jock Paget (NZL) and Clifton Promise produce a superb test to take the lead after Dressage at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. (Trevor Holt/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 5 September 2014 – New Zealander Jock Paget is top of a closely bunched group of riders after the Dressage phase at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), the climax of the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014.

Paget and Clifton Promise earned the excellent score of 38.8 for a fluent, well-executed performance but only two penalties covers the top six riders, four of whom are Antipodeans, and the atmosphere is one of excited anticipation ahead of tomorrow’s Cross Country test.

“He was sensational,” said Paget appreciatively of the 16-year-old New Zealand thoroughbred Clifton Promise. “He is so professional, this horse, and he knows his job so well. He gave me everything, like he always does.”

The pair was third after Dressage at last week’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy, but after they had an early run-out on the Cross Country, Paget made the swift decision to pull up and re-route to Burghley because his team had already been eliminated.

FEI Classics™ leader William Fox-Pitt, a team silver and individual bronze medallist last week, was the only other rider to break the 40-penalty barrier and is in second place on 39.5 on his Kentucky winner, Bay My Hero.

Fox-Pitt’s main worry had been how to contain the exuberant bay gelding who stood on his hind legs at the first horse inspection and is, according to his rider, “good at getting loose.”

Fox-Pitt was quick to credit the team at home – where his wife, Alice, is due to give birth to their fourth child at any moment – and also British team trainer Tracie Robinson. “He’s gone from a score of 44 in Kentucky into the 30s – it’s great to break the 40 barrier. He hasn’t met an atmosphere like this too many times, but he’s a bit of a show-off.”

Badminton winner Sam Griffiths (AUS), the first-day Dressage leader, was pleasantly surprised to be still so near the head of affairs. He is in third place with a score of 40.2 on Happy Times, a horse he has ridden since a five-year-old and one of the most consistent CCI4* horses of all time.

Griffiths’ compatriot Andrew Hoy (AUS), a former dual winner of Burghley (in 1979 and 2004), is fifth on Burghley debutant Rutherglen, just 0.3 behind the defending champions Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Avebury.

The crowd-pleasing grey, the only horse ever to win Burghley back-to-back, was awarded 40.5 from judges Angela Tucker (GBR, President), Christian Landolt (SUI) and Ernst Topp (GER). He looked in perfect balance and outline, gaining a nine from Landolt for the extended canter and only losing marks for the final flying changes.

“He is a special horse, part of the family,” said a delighted Nicholson. “He knows where he is and that he’s not just here for a look around. It’s a lovely arena here; the crowd is far away enough not to be cramped but near enough to create atmosphere.”

A field of 64 will tackle Capt. Mark Phillips’s Cross Country tomorrow, after one horse – Shane Rose’s (AUS) CP Qualified –failed the first horse inspection.

At first glance, the track appears to look very like last year’s but, says Nicholson, the changes are subtle. “There are enough new lines to make a difference. The going is superb but you will need more finesse than last year. You’ve got to ride positively, but remember that some of the lines are tighter.”

Fox-Pitt agreed that the Course Designer has been clever. “I’m very happy not to have to come off that horrible step at the Leaf Pit this time, but the middle part of the course – the Trout Hatchery, Maltings and Dairy Mound – are intense and will take some riding.”

Riders predict that the optimum time will be achievable because the footing is superb although, said Paget: “You can never respect Burghley cross-country enough. The time is tight, there are plenty of hills and the jumps are big, so there is plenty to deal with. You just have to get your head in the right place and focus on every fence as you jump it, and then hopefully you have a good day.”

Follow all the action with live scoring on www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

See full standings here.

Prize money

At the end of the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014 season, the five riders with the highest number of points collected across the six FEI Classics™ events will share a total prize fund of US$120,000 split as follows: 1st – US$40,000 (Series Champion); 2nd – US$35,000; 3rd – US$25,000; 4th – US$15,000; 5th – US$5,000.

Join the FEI on Facebook & Twitter.

Our signature Twitter hashtags for this series are #Classics and #Eventing. We encourage you to use them, and if you have space: #FEI Classics™ #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Media Contacts:

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

At Burghley:

Carole Pendle
Press Officer Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials
+44 7768 462 601
cpendle@brand-rapport.com

Springer in Third after Day One at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

Allison Springer and Arthur (Libby Law Photography)

Lexington, Ky. – The first day of dressage began at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials on Thursday at Burghley House, Stamford in Lincolnshire, England, with the first batch of U.S. riders coming down the centerline. In the CCI4*, a talented international field performed their tests in front of the judging panel of Christian Landolt, Ernst Topp, and Angela Tucker. Allison Springer (Upperville, Va.) and Arthur had a stellar dressage test, earning a 41.2 and putting them in third place, just one point behind the first-place score. Arthur Syndicate, LLC’s 15-year-old Irish sport horse cross gelding performed brilliantly for Springer. She attributed that performance to their strong bond.

“I’m blessed that I have such a beautiful animal to ride,” Springer said. “He’s very, very spooky, so this is actually a difficult phase for him to get his most relaxed. He’s 15 (years old); I’ve had him for 10 years now, so we do have a partnership.”

Springer said she’s walked Saturday’s cross country course twice, and she believes Arthur is ready for the challenge.

“It’s Burghley; it’s big. Everyone says the same thing. Historically, that’s been our least consistent phase, but I know he can do it and I have to go out and ride like I did a couple years ago here.”

Marylyn Little (Frederick, Md.) performed a lovely test with Team Demeter, LLC’s RF Demeter to earn a 47.5, putting them in fifth place. The Karen E. Stives High Performance Eventing Grant recipient and the12-year-old Oldenburg mare had a flowing test with quality trot work.

USEF Land Rover Competition Grant recipient Meghan O’Donoghue (Carbondale, Ill.) rounded out the U.S. effort on Thursday, riding her own Pirate to a score of 54.2. She and the 12-year-old thoroughbred gelding currently sit in 14th place.

Australia’s Sam Griffiths and Happy Times lead the field with a score of 40.2 following the first day of dressage. Fellow countryman Andrew Hoy sits in second place with Rutherglen on a score of 40.8.

Hannah Sue Burnett, who also received a Karen E. Stives High Performance Eventing Grant, will perform her dressage test tomorrow with long-time partner Harbour Pilot, an 11-year-old Irish sport horse gelding owned by Jacqueline Mars.

To view live scores, go to http://www.bdwp.co.uk/bur/14/.

For more information on the Land Rover Burghley International Horse Trials, click here.

Follow the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.

Land Rover Grant Recipients Prepared to Tackle Burghley Horse Trials

Meghan O’Donoghue and Pirate (Libby Law Photography)

Lexington, Ky. – Four horse-and-rider combinations will represent the U.S. at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, September 4-7. Set at Burghley House, Stamford in Lincolnshire, England, the field is packed with some of the best riders in the eventing world. After receiving a USEF Land Rover Competition Grant, Meghan O’Donoghue travels to the prestigious CCI4* with Hannah Sue Burnett and Marilyn Little, who received Karen E. Stives High Performance Eventing Grants, and will be joined by 2012 Rolex/USEF National CCI4*Champion, Allison Springer, amongst the world-class field.

Burnett (The Plains, Va.) will ride long-time partner Harbour Pilot, owned by Jacqueline Mars. The 2012 USEF National CCI3* Champions have spent the last month training in Europe as Travelling Reserves to the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Squad for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. In their CCI4* debut, the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, they cruised to a 15th-place finish.

Little (Frederick, Md.) will ride Team Demeter LLC’s RF Demeter. The pair, which was also named as Traveling Reserves to the World Championship Squad, has had a stellar year in the U.S., winning the Carolina International CIC3* in March, coming in second at The Fork CIC3* in early April, and earning sixth place in the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover in late April.

O’Donoghue (Carbondale, Ill.) will ride her own Pirate to round out the Travelling Reserves set to compete at this year’s Burghley. In 2014, the pair finished in 17th place at both The Fork CIC3* and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover.

Springer (Upperville, Va.) will ride the Arthur Syndicate, LLC’s Arthur, as she looks to improve upon her sixth-place Burghley finish from 2012. The pair competed in the Red Hills International CIC3* in March, earning 12th place, and in The Fork CIC3* in April, finishing in 26th. Their most recent competition together was the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover in late April, in which they finished 24th.

Dressage begins tomorrow at 10 a.m. local time, 4 a.m. ET.

For more information on the Land Rover Burghley International Horse Trials, click here.

Follow the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.

Fox-Pitt Holds Pole Position at Burghley

William Fox-Pitt (GBR), pictured here at CCI4* Kentucky (USA) aboard Bay My Hero, has a 10-point lead to win a fourth FEI Classics™ title going into the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR)

Lausanne (SUI), 3 September 2014 – The scene is set for a thrilling climax to the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014 at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) (4-7 September), a perennially popular venue with riders for its iconic Cross Country course, excellent footing, buzzing atmosphere, fantastic shopping and the gracious setting of one of Britain’s great Elizabethan houses.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) has a 10-point lead to win a fourth FEI Classics™ title, but he is not invincible; Oliver Townend (GBR), Tim Price (NZL), Sam Griffiths (AUS), and Phillip Dutton (USA) can all challenge him and Andrew Nicholson (NZL) has an obvious chance to leapfrog into the top five money prizes.

Fox-Pitt, who last weekend was the hero of Britain’s silver medal team at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy, is a record six-time winner of Burghley and has two fancied rides: the versatile Bay My Hero, winner of Kentucky this year, and Burghley specialist Parklane Hawk, the winner in 2011 and third in 2012 and last year.

Townend, the HSBC FEI Classics™ champion in 2009, has formed a powerful partnership with the former Andrew Nicholson ride Armada, one of the most athletic horses on the circuit – they were second at a tough Badminton in May and fourth at Burghley in 2012.

Price, a CCI4* Luhmühlen (GER) winner this year, had a good Badminton on Ringwood Sky Boy, and Griffiths, the Badminton winner, rides the veteran Happy Times, a horse with a good record at Burghley. Phillip Dutton (USA) invariably rises to the challenge at Burghley and this time brings the handsome Mighty Nice.

The combination that will attract most attention, however, is Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and the delightful grey Avebury, who made history with their back-to-back Burghley victories in 2012 and 2013.

It would be some feat to make it a hat-trick – the only combination to win a CCI4* three times is Kim Severson and Winsome Adante at Kentucky (in 2002, 2004 and 2005) – but the New Zealand pair have a great relationship. They won two competitive CIC3* – Barbury Castle and Gatcombe Part – this summer and could go close.

Around 70 horses from eight nations will be presented at the first horse inspection this afternoon. Among them are such interesting prospects as New Zealand’s Normandy heroine Jonelle Price, riding The Deputy, Belgium’s Karin Donckers (Lamicell Unique), Germany’s Kai Rüder (Gryffindor), world team bronze medallist Andrew Heffernan (NED) (Millthyme Corolla), Australia’s Shane Rose (CP Qualified) and the USA’s Marilyn Little with RF Demeter, sixth at Kentucky in April.

The home side’s strongest prospects include Gemma Tattersall (Arctic Soul), Nicola Wilson with the skewbald mare Beltane Queen, Izzy Taylor (KBIS Briarlands Matilda), Sarah Bullimore with Reve de Rouet and Valentino V.

The FEI Classics™ 2013/2014 story so far

It all kicked off at Pau (FRA) last October when William Fox-Pitt lay first, second and third after Cross Country, eventually triumphing on Seacookie. The following month, Christopher Burton won Adelaide (AUS) on a catch ride, TS Jamaino, a ride he subsequently got to keep.

It was Fox-Pitt again at Kentucky in April, clocking up a record 13th CCI4* win, this time on Bay My Hero. Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh came off best at an unpredictable and rain soaked Badminton, and another New Zealand hero was born at Luhmühlen in June when Tim Price (NZL) triumphed on Wesko.

Oliver Townend, currently second on the leaderboard, accrued his points at Badminton, where he was second on Armada, and Luhmühlen, where he was fourth on Black Tie. Phillip Dutton, sixth, was fourth at Pau on Mr Medicott and eighth at Kentucky on Trading Aces.

By his standards, Andrew Nicholson has had a quiet CCI4* season – his only points come from a fifth place at Pau – but he could easily spring into the reckoning at Burghley.

Follow all the action with live scoring on www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

See full standings here.

Prize money

At the end of the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014 season, the five riders with the highest number of points collected across the six FEI Classics™ events will share a total prize fund of US$120,000 split as follows: 1st – US$40,000 (Series Champion); 2nd – US$35,000; 3rd – US$25,000; 4th – US$15,000; 5th – US$5,000.

Join the FEI on Facebook & Twitter.

Our signature Twitter hashtags for this series are #Classics and #Eventing. We encourage you to use them, and if you have space: #FEI Classics™ #Eventing.

By Kate Green

Media Contacts:

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

At Burghley:

Carole Pendle
Press Officer Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials
+44 7768 462 601
cpendle@brand-rapport.com