Stamford, England—Sept. 2  

Lynn Symansky updated her Facebook page with the news that Donner “had to jog twice due to his usual Deer antics,” but was accepted by the ground jury of the Burghley CCI****. (You can read Symansky’s blog about her journey to Burghley, “Headed To The Biggest, Baddest Four-Star.”)

Lynn Symansky jogging Donner for the ground jury at the first horse inspection. Photo by Libby Law

She joins fellow U.S. riders Colleen Rutledge on Covert Rights and Laine Ashker on Anthony Patch in tackling the famous British four-star. There’s a field of 74 horse/rider combinations starting the weekend at Burghley.

Symansky and Donner will be the first U.S. pair to perform its dressage test, heading down centerline on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 2:00 p.m. BST (9:00 a.m. EST). Ashker and Anthony Patch will begin their test on Friday at 10:02 a.m. BST (5:02 a.m. EST), followed by Rutledge and Covert Rights at 2:32 p.m. BST (9:32 a.m. EST).

You can watch all the action via live-streaming at Burghley.tv.

Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights at the first horse inspection. Photo by Libby Law

Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch were in sync as they presented to the ground jury. Photo by Libby Law

At the first horse inspection, two horses were held for re-inspection; Newmarket Vasco One (Willa Newton) and The Lion (Matthew Heath). Both horses were passed at re-inspection and are allowed to compete at this year’s event.

While last year’s winner, New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson is side-lined due to injury, his compatriot and 2014 runner-up Jock Paget will be looking to go one step further this year, on the 13-year-old gelding he part owns, Shady Grey.  While third placed Australian Sam Griffiths brings two top rides to the event, his Olympic ride Happy Times and former Badminton winner, his 16.2hh bay mare Paulank Brockagh and looks set to be a strong contender for this year’s title.

The fifth cross-country fence is the Anniversary Splash, with the iconic Burghley House in the background. Photo by Libby Law

In the run up to the European Championships at Blair later this month the British contingent will be out in force, headed by William Fox-Pitt with Fernhill Pimms.  Oliver Townend brings three rides to the competition combining youth and experience with Samuel Thomas II, Armada and Dromgurrihy Blue. Nicola Wilson brings Annie Clover.

Former double Olympic Champion Sir Mark Todd (59) will be the oldest rider in the field, while first-timer 20-year-old Abigail Boulton on her mother’s Tilston Tic Toc, from Staffordshire and Niklas Bschorer (Germany) on Tom, Tom Go 3 are the two youngest. Olympic Gold Medallist Michael Jung visits Burghley for the first time with Fischerroncana FST and La Biosthetique Sam FBW and will undoubtedly be one to watch.

Burghley House, the stunning site and backdrop of the CCI****. Photo by Libby Law

Jumping the first fence with Burghley House right in their view, riders will have no doubt where they are! Photo by Libby Law