Lexington, KY – American Boyd Martin rode confidently into the main arena at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials to put in a top 12 effort on the first day of dressage. Riding Neville Bardos, whose trip to England was made possible by a Land Rover Competition and Training Grant, Martin was accurate and produced an excellent effort at the CCI4*.
Neville Bardos’ appearance at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is something of a miracle after the 12-year-old Australian Thoroughbred gelding was trapped in a fire in Martin’s barn in May. Incredibly the little horse survived and recovered from the smoke inhalation, amazing all of his connections and veterinarians. His score of 47.9 at his first Burghley is a testament to the time and effort that Martin and his team have invested in him. Tenth at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games last year, Neville Bardos appears to be returning to form.
“I was pleased to get here and make it one-third of the way around so far,” said Martin. “That’s his weakest phase of the three and we got through it close to our best.”
The talk of the event has been the challenging cross country track, and Neville Bardos is renowned for his ability to run and jump. Only 10 points off the leader, Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk (39.7), the Neville Bardos Syndicate’s hope is well within reach of a top placing.